Do you remember that screen saver from the 80’s of flying toasters? Well the guys over at Flite Test just made a real flying toaster.
The first challenge was converting a toaster to run off batteries, which [David] accomplished by splitting the elements in the 110V toaster into 4 segments, and running them off of 6-cell LiPo — when the toaster is on, it draws almost 700W. The next question was — how much of an effect does air flow have on a toaster’s ability to toast? As it turns out, not that much! They tested the system by driving down the street holding a toaster out of the passenger window of the car, and while they got some strange looks, they also successfully toasted the bread.
The next step was making a plane capable of carrying the extra batteries, and a bulky, not-so-aerodynamic toaster. This was probably the easiest part, as they have made a flying 20kg cinder block before. Needless to say, making a toaster capable of flight was not much of a challenge.
Our favorite part of the video is the test flight, where [Josh] wears a POV visor system to, wait for it… watch the bread toasting. Check it out after the break!
These guys are great — you might remember our past coverage on their RC plane with an afterburner, or their POV airsoft turret plane!
[Thanks Ryan!]
After Dark FTW
Wow, that takes me back: wiki
Yikes – was that the 80’s? I guess it has been a while…
Well, 90s really.
Now that’s a flashback… had a lot less pressure, care, and worry in those days. Of course, I had a lot less money too..the joys of adolescence in the 80’s…
I understand the answer is “Because we can”, but why?
also, not surprising that wind doesn’t diminish the toasting effect. It’s mostly via radiant heat transfer.
Did you not enjoy seeing this thing actually come together? That’s why!
Oh, and why is almost always the wrong question around here.
Don’t get me wrong, I often do things solely because I can. “Bragging rights” would have also been an acceptable answer.
You have to keep in mind that they are running a content/entertainment business. Driving traffic to there youtube channel and web site is why. But bragging rights works great too :-)
Even though the primary heat transfer mechanism is radiation, it is entirely possible for the airflow through the toaster to remove the heat from the surface of the toast via convection before the surface reaches a “browning” temperature.
Why? Just one word: serendipity.
By doing something apparently useless that involves thinking, you often encounter new unexpected problems whose solution will give you experience and knowledge that will help one day when facing other problems in more practical contexts.
Or, like someone once said, discoveries are made by not following instructions.
I was impressed by the flying skills of those guys! Especially the chase copter!
Maybe you know this channel. That’s the guy flying the chase tricopter:
http://www.youtube.com/user/dadde87
Coming Soon,Toast on demand.
Would be fun to see an quadcopter do the same and it can be done indoors safely!
Like the seemingly pointless of making a 20kg cinder block fly.
IMHO a perfect assault weapon. Imagine someone dropping one of these on Barack Osamas head during a public speak. I would laugh my ass off.
Obama’s Latest Spying Drone
This is ridiculously silly, and I approve!
Why?
Lol, I agree one learns a lot and everything, but I can’t help but wonder in what context you would have the idea of making a flying toaster. Still, nicely done and executed.
Mmmmmmm, toast!
They have to modify the toaster so it ejects from the bottom, how great would it be to have a plane that could shit English muffins!
Flying toaster are called cylon raider. You are going to frackin going get this planet blown up.
Toaster crumbs wherever, and toaster fires…
Bagel rated?
They should mind at least some basic security rules and equip the toast with parachute :-)
I’m so sorry.. But I have to say it… This is really.. FAST FOOD..
It’s like a fixed-wing breakfast tacocopter. It owns so hard.
::snort::
“It isn’t about why, it is about why not”
Cave Johnson
I wanna see dropping “TOAST” bombs on people. Drone Toasters.
4:50 is a perfect example of accents rubbing off on other people.