This graph shows Airspeed vs. RPM, from measurements made on 12-27-2004. While these measurements were made the barometric pressure was 30.47, then 30.48 for the last two at 652 and 673 RPM. The relative humidity varied between 10 and 14%. The temperature varied between 43 and 45 degrees F. The ambient airspeed varied between 0 and 5 MPH and came from North and NNE. When the airspeed was measured at 573, 623, 652 and 673 RPM, there were four fliers in the air. Of course we knew that the airspeed and power consumption would not change with fliers in the air, and we saw this clearly while measuring as the readings did not change as the fliers entered the air, we just wanted to document that fact. Our competition would not do so well in this situation.

We have found that as the temperature drops, the amount of lift a flier experiences rises dramatically. For example, 580 RPM at 40 degrees feels like 620 RPM at 75 degrees. I am 170 pounds and 5'11". With no jumpsuit, at 675 RPM and 75 degrees I can fly quite well, but can barely hold height while performing a "T". Under the same conditions at 40 degrees I can barely stay down, and can easily maintain height while performing a "T" with my arms and legs fully retracted. While the lift increases as the temperature drops, the airspeed appears to go up, and then down again as the temperature drops even lower. Under the same conditions as the 3-3 04 and 3-11-04, measurements, at 675 RPM we should achieve an airspeed of 135 and 131 MPH. On 7-8-04 we got only 128 MPH. Clearly at higher and higher temperatures the airspeed at a given RPM went down. But this test was at the lowest temperature, and yet had the lowest airspeed.  We will be taking airspeed measurements at different temperatures so we can see exactly what is going on. We are now recording a lot more data when we do measurements including temperature, humidity and barometric pressure. Note that 675 RPM is roughly 70% power, the highest RPM we have operated at to date. Also note that several experienced fliers who have flown our competitors machine in Orlando have told us that we are at least as fast at 675 RPM in the summer. When the U.S. ARMY's Golden Knights Competition team visited they started at 620 RPM and worked up to 660 RPM. They didn't want any more speed. You can see short video clips from their visit by going to the Appalachian Amusement Center web site Gallery video download page.