Re: The origin of flight: from the water up

[Waylon Rowley <whte_rbt_obj@yahoo.com>]

James R. Cunningham wrote:

Dipper wings: 
> Does stubby translate as 'short', or as low aspect
> ratio?

Short.

> Does 'smaller' translate as 'shorter', less surface
> area, or lower aspect ratio?  

Shorter. 

> Why would it necessarily angle the wings up?  Most
> planes and many animals glide at a negative angle 
> of attack.

It's part of the stair-stepping movement. Maybe
instead of angling their wings they let the lift
generated push them up, and *then* pushed them back to
horizontal. If I'm not mistaken the motion will pull
the glider up. And if this is the case, widen its
optimal area of attack. The only reason I thought they
might angle them is because it would be more
homologous with avian flapping. 

Note that I didn't make the comment regarding the size
of the _Rahonavis_ wings. :)

Cheers,
Waylon Rowley  

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