Sky Polaris
I'm New Here
Hello RVators! I joined this great forum to tell you about a project that will stretch the limits of an RV-8, stretch the limits of human endurance, and break aviation records all the while performing scientific research for the environment and atmosphere.
My name is Don, but this message is not about me. It is about a fellow RV-8 builder in Madrid, Spain named Michel Gordillo. We have a project planned called Sky Polaris. Michel will pilot his RV around the world, OVER THE NORTH AND SOUTH POLES with several noble goals in mind.
Goal #1 ? Collect atmospheric pollution data over remote area such as the desert areas, oceans, the Arctic and Antarctic poles where no other small aircraft have flown.
Goal #2 ? Break the FAI (F?d?ration A?ronautique Internationale) C-1b record category for light aircraft flight distance.
Goal #3 ? Michel will make his THIRD trip around the world in an experimental aircraft. The prior trips were with a Kitfox Model IV in 1998, and then in an MCR-01 in 2001.
Make no mistake, we are well aware of the tremendous distances, altitude and temperature fluctuations, the high cost, and the risk to life and aircraft. Michel Gordillo is a life-long pilot, airplane builder, and airline pilot who is now a retired Iberia Airlines captain.
We have a very qualified pilot and navigator, but do we have a qualified RV? This is an RV forum and it is what you are most interested in. The answer is YES, the RV-8 will be ready. This aircraft was built from the very first rivet with endurance and stress as the primary consideration. It has wing tanks, belly tanks, rear seat tanks, it has been tested to 24,000?, -25C, and will carry over 190 US gallons of fuel for flight times of 24 hours or more.
The propeller is a two blade 74? constant speed Hartzell. The goal is to have a better efficiency for long range, compared to a two blade 72? prop or a three blade propeller.
The engine is a Superior XP IO360 engine with the thought being that fuel injection is better for icing conditions and lower fuel flow. Ignition is with a Lasar electronic ignition.
The canopy is glued instead of riveted due to thermal expansion problems. After much research it was decided that Loctite epoxy was the best choice.
But flying around the world does not mean a pilot can just jump in the airplane and head for the horizon. Most countries require permission to overfly their airspace. Being that he is a Spanish Citizen, Michel must also obtain permission from the Spanish Polar Committee to land and refuel in Antarctica. And On and On. Flying the aircraft is the easiest part of this project. Logistics, planning, permissions, and 1000 other details must be completed before Michel can fly that first kilometer towards the poles.
We invite you to follow along with this project at www.skypolaris.org. Community support is crucial to this flight so if you feel that it is a worthwhile project and will increase the RV aircraft?s visibility to the world, please contribute.
If you have suggestions or questions, we will be glad to respond.
Thank you!
Michel Gordillo ? Builder and Pilot
Don Pearsall ? Website and support.
My name is Don, but this message is not about me. It is about a fellow RV-8 builder in Madrid, Spain named Michel Gordillo. We have a project planned called Sky Polaris. Michel will pilot his RV around the world, OVER THE NORTH AND SOUTH POLES with several noble goals in mind.
Goal #1 ? Collect atmospheric pollution data over remote area such as the desert areas, oceans, the Arctic and Antarctic poles where no other small aircraft have flown.
Goal #2 ? Break the FAI (F?d?ration A?ronautique Internationale) C-1b record category for light aircraft flight distance.
Goal #3 ? Michel will make his THIRD trip around the world in an experimental aircraft. The prior trips were with a Kitfox Model IV in 1998, and then in an MCR-01 in 2001.
Make no mistake, we are well aware of the tremendous distances, altitude and temperature fluctuations, the high cost, and the risk to life and aircraft. Michel Gordillo is a life-long pilot, airplane builder, and airline pilot who is now a retired Iberia Airlines captain.
We have a very qualified pilot and navigator, but do we have a qualified RV? This is an RV forum and it is what you are most interested in. The answer is YES, the RV-8 will be ready. This aircraft was built from the very first rivet with endurance and stress as the primary consideration. It has wing tanks, belly tanks, rear seat tanks, it has been tested to 24,000?, -25C, and will carry over 190 US gallons of fuel for flight times of 24 hours or more.
The propeller is a two blade 74? constant speed Hartzell. The goal is to have a better efficiency for long range, compared to a two blade 72? prop or a three blade propeller.
The engine is a Superior XP IO360 engine with the thought being that fuel injection is better for icing conditions and lower fuel flow. Ignition is with a Lasar electronic ignition.
The canopy is glued instead of riveted due to thermal expansion problems. After much research it was decided that Loctite epoxy was the best choice.
But flying around the world does not mean a pilot can just jump in the airplane and head for the horizon. Most countries require permission to overfly their airspace. Being that he is a Spanish Citizen, Michel must also obtain permission from the Spanish Polar Committee to land and refuel in Antarctica. And On and On. Flying the aircraft is the easiest part of this project. Logistics, planning, permissions, and 1000 other details must be completed before Michel can fly that first kilometer towards the poles.
We invite you to follow along with this project at www.skypolaris.org. Community support is crucial to this flight so if you feel that it is a worthwhile project and will increase the RV aircraft?s visibility to the world, please contribute.
If you have suggestions or questions, we will be glad to respond.
Thank you!
Michel Gordillo ? Builder and Pilot
Don Pearsall ? Website and support.
