So, how does a frisbee fly?

"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
ups.com...
But wait a minute. A good frisbee thrower can make a frisbee rise
straight up (like a golf ball does). The frisbee may take one path for
awhile but then starts heading up, just like a properly hit golf ball

Yes. As I said in a different post, there are subtle aerodynamic effects
that can be used to affect the exact flight path of the frisbee. Release
attitude (pitch and roll), initial flight path, rotation speed, even impact
(intentional or otherwise ) with some object or surface mid-flight, these
all have small-but-interesting-and-useful effects on the exact course the
frisbee follows.

But those are very minor, the frisbee at all times is following basic rules
of inertia and lift (without the radical changes in configuration that CJ's
post suggests), and the original question was simply how does the frisbee
*fly*. That is, why is it possible to throw a frisbee and have it maintain
any stable path, and remain aloft longer than a thrown rock would.

Pete

"Peter Duniho" wrote

Yes. As I said in a different post, there are subtle aerodynamic effects
that can be used to affect the exact flight path of the frisbee. Release
attitude (pitch and roll), initial flight path, rotation speed, even
impact (intentional or otherwise ) with some object or surface
mid-flight, these all have small-but-interesting-and-useful effects on the
exact course the frisbee follows.

A large factor is also the gyroscopic affects (effects?) resulting from the
change in plane of rotation, like the spinning bicycle wheel being held by
the person on the turntable.

That is why (for a right handed person, throwing with the standard clockwise
rotation) the release position for a straight throw, is with the side
opposite from the hand to be held lower than the side the hand is holding.
--
Jim in NC