I think the reality is that all these ducted fan designs look cool and we want them to work (because they look like little jets), but they're terrible from an efficiency point of view. We mustn't forget that Solar Impulse 2 carried over 5000lbs of its own weight on 4x13kW motors. That's like 70hp and a weight-to-power ratio of about 96. Most aircraft we fly around in are around 10-15 ratio. How did SI2 achieve such high weight carrying capacity? Big, slow turning props. Had it had smaller ducted fans that looked cool like jets, that efficiency would have evaporated.

Who would want to be the first to test out the chute in this pusher??

I'm not sure the chute in a new experiment like this would give me much comfort.

If the engine failed during a test what piece of mind would I have that chute will function?

After all, engines in planes have a lot more history than chutes in planes.

Did Peter engineer the chute?

Carb failures are an occasional occurrence on the P-51. On many Mustangs we have an emergency fuel switch. When you turn it on, it sprays a gallon a minute into the blower intake. If the carb fails, you pull the mixture to ICO, set the M.P. to 33" and turn on the switch. It runs like a champ. You can pull the throttle back to about 25" and it starts chugging and puffing black smoke, or you can push it up to about 36" and it starts to shake (mild detonation). Fly it to the high key, 3000 foot over the point of intended landing, turn off the switch and do a 360 degree SFO (simulated flame out) pattern and you are on the ground in moments.

It is very simple, a solenoid valve and a fitting welded shut and drilled out to a #40 (IIIRC) hole, and tapped into the induction system. Stone simple, but really reassuring. It would not work on a diesel however.

No, but I would think it would be possible to engineer something similar. There is no need for spark, so a limited mechanical mode for fuel and turbo waste gate that will give you say 120 hp would up the confidence level.

But this would be for a theoretical real plane. I wouldn’t expect the belt drive on the Raptor to last long enough to have concerns about engine reliability. Does it matter if the engine is running if the prop is no longer connected to it?

Does it though? I know it was on the list as an "available option", but I was thinking it wasn't actually on the prototype yet. Might be wrong there though...but I don't see anything in his video list, and that seems like one he'd put in the forefront as a sales hook.

(And if it's not installed...there goes a tiddly bit more off that useful load... )

Does it though? I know it was on the list as an "available option", but I was thinking it wasn't actually on the prototype yet. Might be wrong there though...but I don't see anything in his video list, and that seems like one he'd put in the forefront as a sales hook.

(And if it's not installed...there goes a tiddly bit more off that useful load... )

I don't care who you are..... That 's funny...

Like many "crazy" ideas, this one won't get far. Ignoring the little details like a glider needing 1/10 the HP to stay aloft and a significant additional weight for the motor, prop, and retract system you'll need something to power that motor which could outweigh the existing engine.

Like many "crazy" ideas, this one won't get far. Ignoring the little details like a glider needing 1/10 the HP to stay aloft and a significant additional weight for the motor, prop, and retract system you'll need something to power that motor which could outweigh the existing engine.

...but the P-51 doesn't have a chute! I don't want to fly in a single without a chute.
Actually, my bucket list is spending some of the kids' inheritance on a donation to some museum for one of their P-51 rides. However, the Raptor is not on the ol' bucket list.

...but the P-51 doesn't have a chute! I don't want to fly in a single without a chute.
Actually, my bucket list is spending some of the kids' inheritance on a donation to some museum for one of their P-51 rides. However, the Raptor is not on the ol' bucket list.