Re: Conway's Nyctosaurus Restoration or Introducing the Bennett Prize!

["Chris Bennett" <cbennett@bridgeport.edu>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "James R. Cunningham" <jrccea@bellsouth.net>
To: <cbennett@bridgeport.edu>; <dinosaur@usc.edu>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 6:23 PM
Subject: Re: Conway's Nyctosaurus Restoration or Introducing the Bennett
Prize!


> Chris Bennett wrote:
>
> > Jim may wish to counter my problems with more calculations, but I
propose a
> > better solution.  I hereby announce the Bennett Prize in the spirit of
the
> > Kramer Prize that was to be awarded to the first person to fly a
man-powered
> > airplane around a closed circuit figure-8 course.  Kramer offered
something
> > like 5000 English Pounds and then increased it when no one won in a few
> > years.  I will award the princely sum of $25.00 or 25 Euros (whichever
is
> > greater!) to the first person to build and successfully fly a model that
> > uses a vertical sail entirely above the center of gravity to extract
energy
> > to drive its forward flight.
>

To which, Jim replied:

> You're on!  With the minor exception that 25 bucks is a lot of money and
> 35 Euros is even more.  Let's make it a gourmet meal at the McDonald's
> of the winner's choice.  Actually, I would have a couple of caveats.
> The sail wouldn't be expected to be absolutely vertical, and I haven't
> thought of the second caveat yet.  Nor am I ready to settle on a
> deadline.
>

Verticality is not essential to me, I just want a sail up there above the
center of gravity so as to produce a roll moment.  As for your second
caveat, I like a good genie will grant you it and even a third, but remember
to be careful with what you wish for because you just might get it!

Chris

S. Christopher Bennett, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Basic Sciences
College of Chiropractic
University of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, CT  06601