Inside the IT FLIES Aircraft Design Competition, Backseat Pilot and V-Speeds скачать в хорошем качестве

Inside the IT FLIES Aircraft Design Competition, Backseat Pilot and V-Speeds

🎧 Episode Summary What if aerospace engineering students didn’t just design aircraft on paper—but actually watched real test pilots fly their creations? In this episode of The Future in Flight Podcast, host Shawn Staerker takes you inside IT FLIES, an innovative international design-build-fly competition where students bring their aircraft concepts to life in high-fidelity simulators used in real-world aircraft development. We hear from competition leaders and test pilots about how simulation transforms abstract aerodynamics into hands-on experience—and why iteration, feedback, and collaboration between engineers and pilots mirrors the real aerospace industry. Then, Shawn sits down with Nate Ehlers—C-17 instructor pilot, airline captain, and founder of the Backseat Pilot training system. Nate shares his unconventional path through civilian training, regional airlines, and the Air Force Reserve, proving that persistence beats rejection every time. From landing with light gun signals after a radio failure to building a tool that’s helped thousands of CFIs save time and money, his story is one of innovation born from challenge. Finally, we break down one of aviation’s universal languages: V-speeds. From V1 and rotation to maneuvering speed and landing reference speeds, this segment demystifies the “cheat codes” that keep pilots safe and aircraft performing at their best. This episode is about bridging theory and reality, turning obstacles into opportunity, and understanding the language of flight. Thank you to our partners: ✈️ AviNation USA – https://www.avinationusa.com/ 🎙️ Creative Relay Media – https://creativerelaymedia.com (https://creativerelaymedia.com/) ✨ Key Points IT FLIES: From Theory to Test Flight • International aerospace design-build-fly competition. • Students code aircraft concepts into high-fidelity, physics-based simulators. • Real test pilots brief, fly, and debrief student designs. • Emphasizes iteration, feedback, and real-world engineering practices. • Hosted in the UK (Swansea University) and the U.S. (University of Dayton). • Awards include best performance, presentation, and innovation. Nate Ehlers’ Aviation Journey • Childhood dream inspired by his grandfather, a WWII B-29 flight engineer. • Earned a business degree before pursuing flight training. • Flew regionals, joined the Air Force Reserve (C-17 Globemaster III). • Served 12 years as a C-17 pilot and instructor. • Landed via light gun signals after a radio failure—sparked idea for reference tools. • Founded Backseat Pilot to provide editable CFI lesson plans and training resources. • Mission: Double student confidence and halve the time to CFI readiness. • Key lesson: Highly motivated students outperform naturally talented but unmotivated ones. C-17 Flying Highlights • Tactical departures and steep climb profiles. • Assault landings into short fields. • Night air refueling and low-level mountain flying. • Instructor role focused on risk management and real-world decision-making. V-Speeds: The Language of Flight • “V” may derive from vitesse (French for speed). • Standardized speeds used worldwide. • White Arc: Flap operating range (VSO to VFE). • Green Arc: Normal operating range (VS1 to VNO). • Yellow Arc: Caution range (smooth air only). • Red Line: VNE (Never Exceed). • Critical takeoff speeds: V1 (decision), VR (rotation), V2 (safety climb). • Climb speeds: VX (best angle), VY (best rate). • VA (maneuvering speed) decreases as aircraft weight decreases. • Landing speeds: VREF, VAP, VLE, VLO. 🕒 Chapter Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction: Engineering meets real-world flight 2:00 – Inside IT FLIES: Simulation, iteration, and test pilots 9:30 – Why iteration matters in aerospace design 11:30 – AviNation USA spotlight 12:30 – Meet Nate Ehlers: From business grad to C-17 pilot 15:30 – Tactical flying the C-17 16:30 – The radio failure that sparked Backseat Pilot 18:00 – Rethinking CFI training 19:00 – Motivation vs. talent in aviation 21:00 – V-Speeds explained: The cheat codes of flight 27:00 – Landing speeds and final safety insights 29:00 – Closing reflections and call to action 🔗 Links & Resources AviNation USA: https://www.avinationusa.com/ Creative Relay Media: https://creativerelaymedia.com/ Backseat Pilot: https://backseatpilot.com/ (Use code FIFPOD for 20% off) IT FLIES Competition: https://steantycip.com/events/it-flie...