We have not yet made the official submission to NALSA for the runs on June 16, but we’ve had enough time to analyze the data and choose a run that we feel meets all the criteria to meet NALSA rules for a direct upwind run. This category (like the direct downwind record category) is not for all-out speed, but rather for vehicle speed as a multiple of wind speed. The run we’ve selected to submit has us at 2.1X wind speed (just over 20 mph in a wind just under 10). We accelerated slightly (as required) during the 10 second measurement period.
This results exceeds our expectations, and meets our more optimistic hopes. Aside from the 104 deg heat (which likely hindered performance slightly due to increased density altitude), conditions were ideal. I will be preparing the NALSA submission this week, and Bob Dill will be preparing the observers report and reviewing it with Kimball Livingston. Once the reports are submitted I expect it to take 7-10 days to have the record officially ratified (so maybe around July 10-11).
The current record for going directly into the wind with a wind powered vehicle stands at 0.75X wind speed. On the one hand we’ve nearly tripled that, but to be fair, the current record is held by the competitors in the Aeolus race ( http://www.windenergyevents2011.com/ ). The race rules limit the turbine disk area to 4 sq-meters. I’m sure if these teams competed with me on a level playing field the competition would be much more interesting. I hope our efforts do inspire others to improve on our record – and I hope they do beat us – after a great deal of effort and frustration 🙂
Thanks to everyone that helped, encouraged us, and came to cheer us on. And of course thanks to our sponsor Joby Energy and to Sportvision, Met One Instruments, and SparkFun for their support.
–Rick Cavallaro
Posted in: Uncategorized
Faster Than The Wind 
Arpie
June 28, 2012
Another first by your most devoted follower Rick. In answer to your previous question at TR as to why the rush when the Aeolus races aren’t until late August, I simply want to get the details of your new record to them asap so they have plenty of time to consider the process and instrumentation that was employed; know how that data was compiled and interpreted; and by whom. Will all of that be available in the NALSA announcement on their site?
In the name of transparency might I suggest you give them your permission to share this information in advance? If you recall, they required your consent before releasing THEIR data on the downwind record, so it would likely expedite sharing this with the Aeolus spokespeople if you let them know there is no need for secrecy. tia