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54-900: GM preserved the prototype cars at the GM Heritage Center in Sterling Heights, Michigan . Models of the cars are in the permanent collection of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn , and the cars still make regular appearances at car shows. The tradition of offering prototype vehicles continued with the Pontiac Banshee series. From 1967 to 2002, the Pontiac division of GM marketed its Firebird line of pony cars , which had no direct relation to these series of Firebird concept cars. General Motors researched

108-469: A fiberglass body with seven short wings and tail fins. It is a two-seater powered by a 225 hp (168 kW) Whirlfire GT-305 gas turbine engine, with a two-cylinder 10 hp (7.5 kW) gasoline engine to run all the accessories. Its exterior design features a double-bubble canopy and included cruise control , anti-lock brakes , and air conditioning . It also featured air drag brakes similar to those found on aircraft that emerged from flat panels in

162-571: A higher angle of attack to maintain lift, resulting in a higher stall speed . In the early decades of powered flight, air brakes were flaps mounted on the wings. They were manually controlled by a lever in the cockpit, and mechanical linkages to the air brake. An early type of air brake, developed in 1931, was fitted to the aircraft wing support struts. In 1936, Hans Jacobs , who headed Nazi Germany's Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug (DFS) glider research organization before World War II, developed blade-style self-operating dive brakes, on

216-673: A private K-12 Christian school, is also located in the city. The city of Sterling Heights has three local newspapers, The Macomb Daily with daily and Sunday delivery (owned by the Journal Register Company), the Sterling Heights Sentry (C and G Newspapers), and the Sterling Heights Source (owned by Advisor & Source Newspapers), the last two are delivered to city residences free of charge. The city also has two local channels. SHTV

270-510: A regenerator and additional component refinements, GT-305 achieved a brake-specific fuel consumption of 0.55 lb/hp·h. The engine was redesignated GMT-305 in 1959 and further development for regular production was handed off from GM Research to Allison Engine Company . Sterling Heights, Michigan Sterling Heights is a city in Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan . A northern suburb of Detroit , Sterling Heights

324-417: A single-seat cockpit, a bullet-shaped fuselage made entirely of fiberglass , short wings, and a vertical tail fin. It has a 370 hp (280 kW) Whirlfire Turbo Power gas turbine engine, which has two speeds, and expels jet exhaust at some 1,250 °F (677 °C). The weight of the car is 2,500 lb (1,134 kg), with a 100-inch wheelbase. At first, Conklin was the only person qualified to drive

378-526: A year. Sterling Heights sits on two main thoroughfares: As of the census of 2010, there were 129,699 people, 49,451 households, and 34,515 families living in the city. The population density was 3,552.4 inhabitants per square mile (1,371.6/km ). There were 52,190 housing units at an average density of 1,429.5 per square mile (551.9/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 85.1% White , 5.2% African American , 0.2% Native American , 6.7% Asian , 0.5% from other races , and 2.2% from two or more races; 1.9% of

432-411: Is 6 miles (10 km) from Detroit's northern border. The shape of the city is six miles long and miles wide. It is bordered to the south by the city of Warren , at its southwest corner by Madison Heights , to the west by Troy , to the north by Utica and Shelby Township , at its northeast corner by Macomb Township , to the east by Clinton Township , and to the southeast by Fraser . According to

486-508: Is appointed by the mayor and the city council. Sterling Heights is located in Michigan's 25th House of Representatives district and Michigan's 30th House of Representatives district , District 25 is represented by Democrat Nate Shannon and District 30 is represented by Republican Diana Farrington . The city is located in Michigan's 10th Senate district , represented by Republican Michael D. MacDonald . Nationally, Sterling Heights

540-408: Is approximately double the torque developed at full power output. In addition, the minimum specific fuel consumption , and thus highest efficiency, is achieved at full power. The first engine, carrying an internal designation of GT-300 (1953), did not have a regenerator. The GT-300 had an output of 370 hp (280 kW) when the gasifier (compressor) turbine was spinning at 26,000 RPM and

594-497: Is found on Comcast channel 12 and WOW channel 20. The city's official radio station is AM 1700. The city also releases a seasonal magazine and a city calendar free of charge to each city household and business. WKEG , affiliated with Relevant Radio , is based in Sterling Heights. Sister City initiatives give opportunities for the cities' residents to come to know each other's cultures. The initiatives will facilitate

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648-630: Is located roughly 18 miles (29.0 km) north of downtown Detroit . As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 134,346, placing Sterling Heights as the second-largest suburb of Detroit, and the fourth-most populous city in Michigan . As a result of the War of 1812 and the 1817 Treaty of Fort Meigs , the area of the Michigan Territory which now makes up Sterling Heights was first surveyed by Deputy Surveyor Joseph Wampler; his survey

702-487: Is on the same shaft and is used to drive the rotary compressor, then through the power turbine, which is on the output shaft. The power shaft speed is stepped down through reduction gearing at the output shaft to make it compatible with automotive components. An accessory shaft is driven from the gasifier/compressor shaft for engine ancillaries, including a gear-type lubrication oil pump. For the GT-304 and subsequent engines,

756-638: Is run by the city's community relations department and usually features locally produced programming (including City Council meetings) and community announcements. Another channel is used for the Sterling Heights Public Library, which usually features educational programs as well as library announcements and important outreach programs for the LGBT community in Sterling Heights. SHTV is found locally on Comcast channel 5, on Wide Open West channel 10 and online. The public library channel

810-402: Is served by two public school districts: Utica Community Schools , which serves the northern half of the city, and Warren Consolidated Schools , which serves the southern half of the city. Utica operates two high schools in the city, Stevenson High School and Henry Ford II High School , while Warren Consolidated operates Sterling Heights High School . Additionally, Parkway Christian School ,

864-400: Is situated in Michigan's 10th congressional district , represented by Republican John James . In the 2020 presidential election , 70,204 ballots were cast, with incumbent Donald Trump receiving 38,451 votes (54.77%) to Joe Biden's 30,587 votes (43.56%). The Sterling Heights Police Department serves as the main law enforcement agency in the city. Sterling Height's crime rate for 2018

918-549: The Blackburn Buccaneer naval strike aircraft designed in the 1950s and Fokker F28 Fellowship and British Aerospace 146 airliners. The Buccaneer air brake, when opened, reduced the length of the aircraft in the confined space on an aircraft carrier . The F-15 Eagle , Sukhoi Su-27 , F-18 Hornet and other fighters have an air brake located just behind the cockpit . The deceleron is an aileron that functions normally in flight but can split in half such that

972-664: The U.S. Census Bureau , Sterling Heights has a total area of 36.72 square miles (95.10 km ), of which 36.45 square miles (94.41 km ) are land and 0.27 square miles (0.70 km ), or 0.74%, are water. The Clinton River crosses the northeast part of the city, flowing east to Lake St. Clair east of Mount Clemens . Sterling Heights features a humid continental climate ( Köppen : Dfa ). Summers are somewhat hot with temperatures exceeding 90 °F (32 °C) on average 8.6 days. Winters are cold, with temperatures not rising above freezing on 39.1 days annually, while dropping to or below 0 °F (−18 °C) on average 1.2 days

1026-418: The drag on the aircraft. When extended into the airstream, air brakes cause an increase in the drag on the aircraft. When not in use, they conform to the local streamlined profile of the aircraft in order to help minimize drag. Air brakes differ from spoilers in that air brakes are designed to increase drag while making little change to lift , whereas spoilers reduce the lift-to-drag ratio and require

1080-528: The 2003 U.S.-Iraqi War , millions of Iraqi citizens were displaced, particularly Assyrians , whom the majority of which adhere to the Chaldean Catholic Church . Of these, 30,000-50,000 resettled in Sterling Heights, giving parts of the city the nickname "Little Nineveh", especially around 15 Mile Road and Ryan. Sterling Heights is a second-ring suburb, 14 to 20 miles (23 to 32 km) north of downtown Detroit . The city's southern border

1134-683: The Firebird I, II, and III were adorned with the logo of the General Motors Air Transport Section (GMATS). By 1953, the research team had developed the Firebird XP-21. This was later referred to as the Firebird I, which was essentially a jet airplane on wheels. It was the first gas turbine-powered car tested in the United States . The design is entirely impractical, with a bubble-topped canopy over

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1188-595: The Firebird IV for the 1969 show circuit as the Buick Century Cruiser . Reportedly, the show car was crushed in the 1980s. Specifications The 1956 Motorama movie Key to the Future [1] projected a vision of the future. It shows a nuclear family that are hot and perspiring in a convertible on their way to a day at the beach, but they are stuck in a freeway traffic jam . In a flashforward to

1242-407: The Firebird concept cars and other GM concept buses and trucks are free-turbine turboshaft machines with two spools: one compressor/gasifier turboshaft and one power/output turboshaft sharing a common axis without a mechanical coupling between them. Initially, the first engines developed ( GT-300 and 302 ) did not have a regenerator , but adding regeneration to recapture heat from the exhaust gases

1296-419: The age of 18 living with them, 60.4% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.21. In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under

1350-460: The age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 60,494, and the median income for a family was $ 70,140. Males had a median income of $ 51,207 versus $ 31,489 for females. The per capita income for

1404-532: The approval of a ballot proposal in the November 2020 election the positions were changed to be four-year terms starting with the 2021 election cycle. As of January 2021, the mayor is Michael C. Taylor. Taylor served as mayor pro tempore after Richard Notte died while in office in December 2014. Notte was the city's longest-serving mayor, winning in 1993 and serving through the next 11 consecutive elections. He

1458-503: The bodywork of the car to slow it from high speeds; an "ultra-sonic" key that signaled the doors to open; an automated guidance system to help avoid accidents; and a "no hold" steering system. The car's steering was controlled by the driver by a joystick positioned between the two seats. Specifications The Firebird IV debuted at the 1964 New York World's Fair , in the General Motors Futurama Exhibit. It

1512-558: The car, and he tested it up to 100 mph (160 km/h), but upon shifting into second gear the tires lost traction under the extreme engine torque and he immediately slowed down for fear of crashing. Racecar driver Mauri Rose later test drove the car at the Indianapolis Speedway . GM never actually intended to test the power or speed potential of the gas turbine, but merely the practical feasibility of its use. The braking system differs from standard drum systems, in that

1566-528: The case of most airliners, lift spoilers that also act as air brakes. Propeller-driven aircraft benefit from the natural braking effect of the propeller when engine power is reduced to idle, but jet engines have no similar braking effect, so jet-powered aircraft must use air brakes to control speed and descent angle during landing approach. Many early jets used parachutes as air brakes on approach ( Arado Ar 234 , Boeing B-47 ) or after landing ( English Electric Lightning ). Split-tailcone air brakes have been used on

1620-411: The city was $ 24,958. About 4.0% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line , including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over. The city has a council-manager form of government . The mayor, along with six other council members, is directly elected to council by the city residents. Prior to 2021, city council and mayoral positions had two-year terms. Following

1674-1082: The city. The population density was 3,397.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,311.6/km ). There were 47,547 housing units at an average density of 1,297.6 per square mile (501.0/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 90.70% White , 1.30% African American , 0.21% Native American , 4.92% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 0.34% from other races , and 2.50% from two or more races; 1.34% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Ancestries: Polish (19.0%), German (14.4%), Italian (12.5%), Macedonian (5.7%), English (5%), Chaldo-Assyrians (20.7%), American/US (4%) ,and Irish (4%). In 2000, there were more people in Sterling Heights born in Iraq than any other foreign country. In that year there were 5,059 people in Sterling Heights born in Iraq. The next three largest nations of foreign birth were North Macedonia at 1,723, Italy at 1,442 and Poland at 1,427. There were 46,319 households, out of which 32.9% had children under

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1728-432: The cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional and technical exchanges and projects among the sister cities. Sterling Heights' sister cities are: 42°34′49″N 83°1′49″W  /  42.58028°N 83.03028°W  / 42.58028; -83.03028 Air brake (aeronautics) In aeronautics , air brakes or speed brakes are a type of flight control surface used on an aircraft to increase

1782-531: The delivery of goods and services to and from businesses. The population increased when suburban homes were built for the workers in metropolitan Detroit's booming automobile industry. When Sterling Township was incorporated as a city in 1968, "Heights" was added to the name to satisfy a state law that prevents incorporated municipalities from having the same name, as there was already a small village named Sterling in Arenac County . Gerald Donovan became

1836-471: The deployment of these spoilers ("lift dumpers") causes a significant reduction in wing lift, so the weight of the aircraft is transferred from the wings to the undercarriage. The increased weight increases the available friction force for braking. In addition, the form drag created by the spoilers directly assists the braking effect. Reverse thrust is also used to help slow the aircraft after landing. Virtually all jet-powered aircraft have an air brake or, in

1890-582: The drums are on the outside of the wheels to facilitate fast cooling—and the wings actually have aircraft-style flaps for slowing from high speed. A miniature version of the Firebird I crowns the Harley J. Earl Trophy , given to the winner of the Daytona 500 . The second concept car, the Firebird II of 1956, was designed as a four-seat, family car. It has a low and wide design with two large air intakes at

1944-434: The feasibility of gas turbine engines in cars as early as the 1940s. It was not until the early 1950s that the company began building an actual engine, under the direction of Charles L. McCuen, general manager of General Motors Research Laboratories, with Emmett Conklin leading the project. The fanciful top speed of all four concept cars is "200 MPH." As these concept cars were not specifically tied to any one division of GM,

1998-494: The first mayor of the city and F. James Dunlop became the first mayor pro-tempore . In the 1960s and 1970s, many residents came to live in Sterling Heights to work in automobile plants operated by Chrysler and Ford . Lakeside Mall opened in Sterling Heights in 1976. The city is home to many groups of immigrants. It has received many people of eastern European origins, including ethnic Albanians, Bosnians, Croatians, Macedonians, Montenegrins, Poles, Serbians and Slovenians. After

2052-440: The free (power) turbine was spinning at 13,000 RPM. The weight of the entire engine unit was 775 lb (352 kg). With a second burner, the engine was re-designated GT-302 and fitted to Firebird I (XP-21). Brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) was a notable issue, which at 1.63 lb/hp·h was significantly greater than that of a comparable Detroit Diesel 8V71 diesel engine (approximately 0.40 lb/hp·h), even though

2106-404: The front, a high bubble canopy top, and a vertical tail fin. Its exterior bodywork is made entirely of titanium . The engine output is 200 hp (150 kW). To solve the exhaust heat problem, the car feeds the exhaust through a regenerative system, allowing the engine to operate nearly 1,000 °F (538 °C) cooler, and also powers the accessories. Capable of using different types of fuel,

2160-480: The future, they are cruising at a high-speed in air-conditioned comfort along an automated freeway with no other vehicles (except once a Firebird I) to be seen in a turbine-powered Firebird II. The movie's concept was that General Motors would provide such a future. An example of this type of forecast is the approach in vehicle infrastructure integration using electronic vehicle control and improved highway infrastructure. The Whirlfire gas turbine engines fitted to

2214-458: The inlet section, where the heat is transferred to the compressed air. The regenerators turn at approximately 30 RPM. In addition to improving thermodynamic efficiency, the regenerators serve to muffle engine noise and heat, reducing exhaust temperatures. Because the Whirlfire engines are free-turbine machines, maximum torque is developed when the output shaft is stalled (not turning), and

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2268-605: The most common is Kerosene . The concept car was also the first use by General Motors of disc brakes on all four wheels, along with a fully independent suspension . It also featured a non-operational guidance system intended for use with "the highway of the future," where an electrical wire embedded in the roadway would send signals that would help guide cars and avoid accidents. This car appears in GM's sponsored-film short " Design for Dreaming ". Specifications The Firebird III debuted at Motorama in 1959. The concept car featured

2322-431: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race were. There were 49,451 households, of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.2% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who

2376-457: The rotating drum regenerators are arranged to either side of the turboshafts in the side compartments. Within the compartments, a vertical bulkhead divides the regenerators into low-pressure exhaust (occupying approximately 2 ⁄ 3 of the regenerator) and high-pressure inlet (the remaining 1 ⁄ 3 ) sections. As the exhaust section of the regenerator passes through the exhaust gases, it picks up waste heat, then rotation brings it into

2430-401: The turbine was 1,500 lb (680 kg) lighter. Other planned improvements would target throttle lag, caused by accelerating the gasifier turbine to peak speed, and lack of engine braking. GT-304 (1956) was the first GM gas turbine to include a regenerator, which used exhaust heat to warm intake air, improving fuel consumption to 0.77 lb/hp·h. As fitted to Firebird II, GT-304 output

2484-744: The upper and lower surface of each wing, for gliders. Most early gliders were equipped with spoilers on the wings in order to adjust their angle of descent during approach to landing. More modern gliders use air brakes that may spoil lift as well as increase drag, dependent on where they are positioned. A British report written in 1942 discusses the need for dive brakes to enable dive bombers, torpedo bombers and fighter aircraft to meet their respective combat performance requirements and, more generally, glide-path control. It discusses different types of air brakes and their requirements, in particular that they should have no appreciable effect on lift or trim and how this may be achieved with split trailing edge flaps on

2538-478: The wings, for example. There was also a requirement to vent the brake surfaces using numerous perforations or slots to reduce airframe buffeting. A US report written in 1949 describes numerous air brake configurations, and their performance, on wings and fuselage for propeller and jet aircraft. Often, characteristics of both spoilers and air brakes are desirable and are combined - most modern airliner jets feature combined spoiler and air brake controls. On landing,

2592-539: Was 180.38 per 100,000 population, a 2.16% decrease from 2017. Sterling Heights' crime rate is lower than both the Michigan (449) and United States (381) averages. Sterling Heights had the fourth lowest crime rate per 100,000 population in 2018, compared to surrounding cities. Sterling Heights was beat by Rochester (61.19), Troy (61.74), and Fraser (157.25). Sterling Heights has a lower crime rate than Utica (222.27), Madison Heights (295.68), Clinton Township (317.93), and Warren (509.03). Sterling Heights

2646-453: Was 200 hp (150 kW) at a gasifier turbine speed of 35,000 RPM. The gasifier turbine idled at 15,000 RPM and the power turbine operated at up to 28,000 RPM. Overall compression ratio in the gasifier stage was 3.5:1. The GT-305 (1958) fitted to Firebird III had an output of 225 hp (168 kW) (at turbine speeds of 33,000 RPM gasifier / 27,000 RPM power) and weight of 600–650 lb (270–290 kg). With

2700-497: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.20. The median age in the city was 40.4 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.8% were from 25 to 44; 28.6% were from 45 to 64; and 15.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 124,471 people, 46,319 households, and 33,395 families living in

2754-456: Was another sleek, aircraft-inspired, turbine-engined "future" design, which GM coded internally as the XP-790. Its designers conceived it for a future in which cars steered automatically via programmed guidance systems, to "ensure absolute safety at more than twice the speed possible on expressways of the day." Though billed as being turbine-powered, the Firebird IV was non-functional. GM repackaged

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2808-646: Was approved on February 20, 1818. Wampler had been one of two deputy surveyors of Perrysburg, Ohio , in 1816. Originally created as part of Shelby Township in April 1827, it was broken off as Jefferson Township in March 1835. In March 1838, it was renamed Sterling Township. Until the 1950s, Sterling Township was an agricultural area, largely devoted to growing rhubarb and other crops sold in Detroit. Road improvements led to decreased commute times and lower costs for

2862-416: Was found to reduce fuel consumption by 1 ⁄ 2 in the second-generation GT-304 fitted to Firebird II, so subsequent generations of GM Whirlfire turbines incorporated a regenerator. The single-stage rotary compressor pushes compressed air out radially into the combustors, where it is mixed with fuel and burned, and the resulting combustion gases are expanded through first the gasifier turbine, which

2916-549: Was the city's first mayor to be elected by popular vote. Following his death, the municipal building was renamed the Richard J. Notte Sterling Heights City Center. The current city manager, Mark Vanderpool, has served as the city manager since 2004. In December 2020, the City Council voted to increase Vanderpool's salary by 23%, making him the third highest-paid city administrator of similar cities in Michigan. The position

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