World’s first flying car

World’s first flying car prepares for take-off

Is it a car? Is it a plane? Actually it’s both. The first flying automobile, equally at home in the sky or on the road, is scheduled to take to the air next month.

If it survives its first test flight, the Terrafugia Transition, which can transform itself from a two-seater road car to a plane in 15 seconds, is expected to land in showrooms in about 18 months’ time.

Its manufacturer says it is easy to keep and run since it uses normal unleaded fuel and will fit into a garage.

Carl Dietrich, who runs the Massachusetts-based Terrafugia, said: “This is the first really integrated design where the wings fold up automatically and all the parts are in one vehicle.”

The Transition, developed by former Nasa engineers, is powered by the same 100bhp engine on the ground and in the air.

Terrafugia claims it will be able to fly up to 500 miles on a single tank of petrol at a cruising speed of 115mph. Up to now, however, it has been tested only on roads at up to 90mph.

Dietrich said he had already received 40 orders, despite an expected retail price of $200,000 (£132,000).

“For an airplane that’s very reasonable, but for a car that’s very much at the high end,” he conceded.

There are still one or two drawbacks. Getting insurance may be a little tricky and finding somewhere to take off may not be straightforward: the only place in the US in which it is legal to take off from a road is Alaska.

Dietrich is optimistic. He said: “In the long term we have the potential to make air travel practical for individuals at a price that would meet or beat driving, with huge time savings

Source: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/engineering/article5489287.ece

Man swimming with giant lioness

Who dares swims: Man takes dip with a giant lioness

By Mail Foreign Service
Created 9:37 AM on 12th March 2009

When Kevin Richardson decided to cool off in the sweltering South African heat he was joined by an unlikely swimming partner - a giant lioness.

But before you fear a bloody ending, don't... because these two are good friends.

Zoologist and animal behaviourist Kevin, 34, raises and interacts with some of the most dangerous animals known to man.

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He who dares swims: Kevin Richardson with Meg the lion in the Crocodile River just south of the Magaliesburg mountains, near Johannesburg, South Africa

With his unusual methods, Kevin has developed some exceptionally personal bonds with his students, playing, sleeping and even swimming with animals.

Taking a well-deserved break in the Crocodile River, just south of the Magaliesburg mountains, Kevin was joined by Meg the lioness.

Weighing a staggering 185 kg this boisterous tawny lioness playfully splashed around with the veteran of the wild..

'We went swimming purely for Meg's enrichment,' Kevin said.

'That's one of the reasons I believe my animals are so relaxed. They live very enriched lives.

'Those who like it go for swims, others go for walks in the greater area and others just prefer to go and chill under a tree in the middle of the park.'

Learning lion paddle: Animal behaviourist Kevin says he has a unique bond with the wild animals that share his South Africa home

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Despite her formidable size and strength, Kevin claims he is completely safe in Meg's company

Meg, seven, and her sister Amy, live in The Kingdom Of The White Lion, near Johannesburg, South Africa.

Lions, hyenas and leopards reside in the 650-hectare area not too far from the banks of the river.

The Kingdom Of The White Lion help to fund predator research in Botswana and are actively involved in creating awareness around the globe.

Kevin, who has been involved in countless documentaries and has just finished working on a new film about white lions, works to create awareness and being active in lion conservation.

With lion numbers in the wild dropping from around 350,000 animals to 25-30,000 animals over a period of 15 years, the statistics paint a grim picture.

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Kevin says Meg is like an 'excited dog going for a ride in a car' when she goes swimming

However Kevin's unusual work with these magnificent animals has captured the imagination.

'People are always amazed that she doesn't rip me to pieces with her claws,' Kevin said.

'I assure you every now and again I get a claw going into me. It's unintentional and just reconfirms to me how gentle and in control she tries to be.

'She gets like an excited dog going for a ride in a car. She takes no coaxing to get her to swim.

'You get in and start swimming and the next thing you know there's a full grown lioness beside you doing doggy....umm I mean.... lion paddle towards you.'

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1161393/Who-dares-swims-Man-takes-dip-giant-lioness.html

Red Durian

Red flesh durian is is wild durian encountered at forest Kalimantan.

Same his case with his other durian, this durian having thorny bark and aroma durian very special and sting.