iTECH
How did you choose Andy as the driver, because it’s some time
since he did the last land speed record? (1997)
Andy was selected because he’s the best qualified person for the
job and is still very fit. He trains pilots and has fast reaction times.
He flew a plane to practice driving Bloodhound, and was able to do
the same amount of Gs accelerating and decelerating.
What do they mean by “G”?
G stands for G-Force or Gravity Force. When
you’re on Planet Earth it pulls at your body to
keep you on the ground. It isn’t only gravity that
can make G forces. If you’re in a grown-up’s
car at some red traffic lights, when the lights
go green the car moves forward. At this point
you’re feeling a small G-Force pushing you
back into your seat. Then when they use the
brakes to slow down, you feel another small
G-Force pushing you forward against your seat
belt. On motorbikes the forces are larger. On
fighter planes and on Bloodhound they are huge.
Weight seems to push down on every part of
you and can make you feel like you’re going to
be sick! Only a few people are strong enough to
cope with these large G forces.
10 SPARK