About me: I work as mechanical engineer for a living, but my main interest is internal combustion engines, especially gas turbine engines. My other interests include aviation, especially warbirds. I earned my pilot's license at age 17 and later took aerobatic training in the T-6 Texan. My greatest adventure in aviation so far was flying the P-51 Mustang "Crazy Horse" at Stallion 51 in Kissimmee, FL.
Speaking of Florida, Walt Disney World is my favorite vacation spot, and I plan to make Orlando my hometown in the hopefully not-so-distant future. I also love Hawaii and would like to spend a year or two on the Big Island. I would like to find a job in Florida, Alabama, or Mississippi, NOT behind a desk.
I like Japanese decor, tropical plants, bonsai, and freshwater aquariums. My previous hobbies were astronomy, high power rocketry, and producing fireworks shows. I still have some level of interest in fireworks shows although I don't do them any more due to the expense and the fact that it was not viable commercially. I've moved on into my new hobbies of building turbine powered vehicles and hot rodding.
Some of my recent projects have been:
1. Golfjet - Turbine powered golf cart, wheel driven, with a 90 horsepower Garrett AiResearch JFS100-13A twin-spool turboshaft engine. Top design speed is 80 mph. This project is the only one currently featured in my pics and videos section, although I hope to add more projects soon.
2. Turbine powered lawn tractor, using a 134 horsepower Garrett GTP30-150F single spool turboshaft engine. Designed to be able to cut grass at up to 15 mph. This project is currently being built.
3. 1986 Buick Regal, re-engined with a Chevrolet 383 stroker engine, 11.1:1 compression, 420 horsepower, 250 psi cranking compression on 105 octane fuel. This car is my daily driver.
4. 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS, with a Chevy 383 stroker engine, 12:1 compression, 580 horsepower, 260 psi cranking compression on 105 octane fuel.
5. Turbine boat powered by a Boeing T50-BO-8A 300 horsepower twin-spool turbine engine. I have the engine and the boat but haven't started work yet.
Last but not least, I plan to build a Zenair 601 kitplane and power it with a Corvair engine. This project is several years off in the future.
Who I'd like to meet: Other turbine engine hobbyists and like minded individuals, or just guys who think this stuff is cool.
Joe! That was INCREDIBLE!!! Have you posted this at youtube? I really can't believe it, my hat off to you. My brother "Epcotbob" who did our Illuminations will really love this. That blew me away...
