Blackbird (land yacht)

The Blackbird is an experimental land sailer with a large rotor, which can act as a propeller or turbine. It was designed to demonstrate that it is possible to sail faster than the wind directly from the wind. On 2 July 2010, the Blackbird set at 2.8 times the wind speed directly from the wind the first certified world record in that category. The wheels drive the propeller. On 16 June 2012, the Blackbird set at 2.1 times the wind speed directly into the wind the world record for the trip in the opposite direction, the rotor drives the wheels acting as a turbine.

Back in 1969, built the aerodynamicist Andrew Bauer a rotor sailor who drove 1.2 times faster than the direct tailwind. Since this has never been confirmed by an independent body, many experts remained skeptical, and some were even of the opinion that it was physically impossible. Other researchers came as farmers to the conclusion that such a vehicle in no way contrary to the laws of physics. To end the controversy, a team made ​​up in October 2009 to build us a rotor sailor who should reach at least double the wind speed just before the wind. The official record runs of the North American Land Sailing Association ( NALSA ) found on 2 - held at the El Mirage Salt Flat, California July 3, 2010. From the experiments, in which all conditions were met, was selected with the highest multiple of wind speed, which was just under 2.8 ( 44.6 km / h at 16 km / h Wind ).

With a slightly modified version of the Blackbird in 2012 on land with 2.1 times wind speed ( record ) was driven directly into the wind. The rotor does not act as a propeller but purely as a turbine, that delivers mechanical power to drive the wheels off. In principle, an identically designed rotor for both directions - use - with and against the wind; however, normally has a ( statorlose ) turbine opposite profile curvature in comparison to a propeller.