#powered flight

[lindahall]

William Samuel Henson – Scientist of the Day

Wlliam Samuel Henson, a British inventor and engineer, was born on May 3, 1812, in Nottingham. 

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[nocternalrandomness]

"First Powered Flight"

December 17, 1903 - Wilbur and Orville Wright conducted the world’s first successful piloted engine-powered airplane in the Wright Flyer I. The flight lasted for 12 seconds and traveled 120 feet before landing.

[fundinofactoftheday]

Dinofact #116

Although originally thought to only be capable of gliding or "parachuting", Microraptor had true flight feathers as seen on modern birds, as well as a similar arrangement of primary and secondary flight feathers and assymetrical vanes. The similarities between Microraptor's feathers (and other anatomical features) and those of modern birds implies that Microraptor was actually capable of powered flight.

Source: Wikipedia

[esperproject]

[crippledgiraff]

Aviation April buzzes up from a field somewhere, taking a nice weekend ride in the sun.

[princemannikin]

[lindahall]

Alphonse Pénaud – Scientist of the Day

Alphonse Pénaud, a French aviation pioneer, was born May 31, 1850.

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[idadragonheart]

Humans are capable of powered flight.

In sensu lato. It is widely known that human physiology does not allow for muscle-powered flight. Our mass is just too great to be countered by any sort of lift we could generate through flapping of artificial wings or any other inventive contraption. However, if we define powered flight of vertebrate animals (among which we count ourselves as well as birds and bats), as moving through a fluid (which air is) using synchronized strokes of forelimbs for propulsion, then anyone who has swum in the butterfly/dolphin technique has flown just like a bird :D

Now technically we could define powered vertebrate flight as any muscle-powered motion of a vertebrate through a fluid and thus any vertebrates that can swim can fly. If we define powered flight in general as a voluntary and controlled motion of a creature through a fluid, then everything that moves through through liquids and air is flying. On the other hand, if we define powered flight as the volitionary motion of a creature through a fluid that is significantly less dense than itself, us swimmers are, after all, denied the consolation that although labouring and breathless, we are flying like mighty dragons from ancient sagas.

I conclude this nonsensical rambling with the thought that thinking definitions through is important and that a little thinking can provide substantial amusement. This post started as a walk-thought as I was observing the motion of a kestrel in flight and was reminded of the motion of a swimmer performing the dolphin/butterfly technique. It was fitting, as in my opinion, dolphin is the most labour-intensive and difficult to master of all swimming techniques. I also made use of my knowledge of physics, that fluids encompass both liquids and gases, to amuse myself with the above thinking.

If one swimmer reads this and is lighter on their 'wings' swimming like a dragon in flight, I have done good:)

Cheers!