Re: Campbell's even crazier than a MANIAC? (archeopteryx climbing)

[Michael Habib <mhabib5@jhmi.edu>]

Erik Boehm wrote:

> In general, its more efficient, that means a glider could glide more 
> before having to climb a tree again, saving time.
> You can produce the same amount of lift, with less drag, giving higher 
> max glide speeds, better headwind penetration, etc.

Max glide speed is dependent on wing loading, not aspect ratio.  Same 
with wind penetration.  But the efficiency point stands.  Of interest 
to planform evolution considerations, I note that Microraptor has 
rather high AR wings, while Archaeopteryx has a planform with a much 
more moderate AR.

Cheers,

--Mike


Michael Habib, M.S.
PhD. Candidate
Center for Functional Anatomy and Evolution
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
1830 E. Monument Street
Baltimore, MD 21205
(443) 280 0181
habib@jhmi.edu