dynamic soaring

Ralph Jones wrote:
...
The most interesting conclusion is that if the curl is the only source
of energy (in other words, there is no vertical velocity component to
complicate the issue), the optimum strategy is amazingly simple. Most
of the variables fall right out of the calculation, and the result is:
Circle in a 55-degree bank. Go to the left if the curl direction is
upward, right if it's downward.
...

But in the case of wind shear discussed here as mentionned on the
site quoted in the first post of this discussion, the curl direction
is horizontal, perpendicular to the direction of the wind.

On Fri, 19 Jan 2007 01:19:21 +0100, Robert Ehrlich
wrote:

Ralph Jones wrote:
...
The most interesting conclusion is that if the curl is the only source
of energy (in other words, there is no vertical velocity component to
complicate the issue), the optimum strategy is amazingly simple. Most
of the variables fall right out of the calculation, and the result is:
Circle in a 55-degree bank. Go to the left if the curl direction is
upward, right if it's downward.
...

But in the case of wind shear discussed here as mentionned on the
site quoted in the first post of this discussion, the curl direction
is horizontal, perpendicular to the direction of the wind.

I haven't seen any analysis of that, but I'm betting that with
sufficient horizontal curl you could climb by making successive loops.
But a porpoising technique might make a bit more sense...;-)

rj

The one with nerves of steel is the one holding the radar gun with a
several pound RC "missile" coming at them at 200+ !

wrote:
It is absolutely fascinating. The RC guys have reached 300+mph doing
this. I personally have clocked someone flying a 2M wingspan RC glider
doing 209mph. It is amazing how fast the energy builds up and how
quickly speed goes from 40 to 150+

It requires nerves of steel and amazing reflexes to dive to the ground
at 200+ and pull out only a couple of feet above ground though!


wrote:
amazing is right.

In the last year, the USAF Test Pilot School has been conducting
dynamic soaring test flights with a Blanik L23 at low level (sometimes
down to 100' AGL) over the lake bed.
Jim

On 19 Jan 2007 05:18:50 -0800, "JS" wrote:

In the last year, the USAF Test Pilot School has been conducting
dynamic soaring test flights with a Blanik L23 at low level (sometimes
down to 100' AGL) over the lake bed.
Jim

Hmmm, sounds like there's some kind of stealth UAV in the works...;-)

rj

"Ian" wrote in message
ps.com...

flying_monkey wrote:

ED: What's curl?
Math Geek: Oh, that's just the divergence of the gradient.

Get a better maths geek. Curl ain't div grad.

Another maths geek.

You know they're hardcore when they say 'maths' instead of 'math'

I pretty much stand in awe of long division....