Just a question for you: (for now)

Would it be okay to hold the next 'Quake in February and still use "Spring" in the name?

And, while I'm on the subject.... how many gamers are out there?

Who considers themselves to be a good cook?

What... is the air-speed velocity of an un-laden swallow?

 

African or European?

 

South African Swallow
(Hirundo spilodera) European Swallow
(Hirundo rustica)
Although 47 of the 74 worldwide swallow species are found in Africa,1 only two species are named after the continent: the West African Swallow (Hirundo domicella) and the South African Swallow (Hirundo spilodera), also known as the South African Cave Swallow.

Since the range of the South African Swallow extends only as far north as Zaire,2 I felt fairly confident that this was the non-migratory African species referred to in previous discussions of the comparative and cooperative weight-bearing capabilities of African and European swallows.3

Kinematic data for both African species was difficult to find, but the Barn or European Swallow (Hirundo rustica) has been studied intensively, and kinematic data for that species was readily available.



It’s a simple question of weight ratiosA 54-year survey of 26,285 European Swallows captured and released by the Avian Demography Unit of the University of Capetown finds that the average adult European swallow has a wing length of 12.2 cm and a body mass of 20.3 grams.4

Because wing beat frequency and wing amplitude both scale with body mass,5 and flight kinematic data is available for at least 22 other bird species,6 it should be possible to estimate the frequency (f ) and amplitude (A) of the European Swallow by a comparison with similar species. With those two numbers, it will be possible to estimate airspeed (U).

In order to maintain airspeed velocity, a swallow needs to beat its wings forty-three times every second, right?Actually, wrong. By comparing the European Swallow with bird species of similar body mass, we can estimate that the swallow beats its wings 18 times a second with an amplitude of 18 cm:

Species Body mass Frequency Amplitude
Zebra Finch 13 g 27 Hz 11 cm
European Swallow 20 g ≈ 18 Hz? ≈ 18 cm?
Downy Woodpecker 27 g 14 Hz 29 cm
Budgerigar 34 g 14 Hz 15 cm

Note that even the tiny Zebra Finch flaps its wings no more than 27 times a second while cruising.

If we ignore body mass and look only at bird species with a similar wingspan, we can estimate an average frequency of 14 beats per second and an amplitude of 23 cm:

Species Wingspan Frequency Amplitude
Budgerigar 27 cm 14 Hz 15 cm
European Swallow ≈ 28–30 cm ≈ 14 Hz? ≈ 23 cm?
Downy Woodpecker 31 cm 14 Hz 29 cm
European Starling 35 cm 14 Hz 26 cm

By averaging all 6 values, we can estimate that an average European Swallow flies at cruising speed with a frequency of roughly 15 beats per second, and an amplitude of roughly 22 cm.

http://www.style.org/unladenswallow/

 

So cool. I'm better for having read that.

What about the other two questions guys?

 

the other 2 questions...... or did you mean the other 3???

 

<~~~gamer

JC

 

<---- game-ee

 

so there's at least ONE person paying attention

 

<--- Gamist

 

Would it be okay to hold the next 'Quake in February and still use "Spring" in the name?

I don't see why not

And, while I'm on the subject.... how many gamers are out there?

I am if there's a Wii involved

Who considers themselves to be a good cook?

I consider myself to be a bad cook

What... is the air-speed velocity of an un-laden swallow?

I'm gonna stick with RJ's answer...

 

Would it be okay to hold the next 'Quake in February and still use "Spring" in the name?

I don't see why not

And, while I'm on the subject.... how many gamers are out there?

I will give it the good old highschool try.

Who considers themselves to be a good cook?

I consider Juanita to be a good cook. Have you seen me??? lol

What... is the air-speed velocity of an un-laden swallow?

I think I'm gonna stick with RJ's answer...

 

<---- gamer, decent cook, depends on what is being made...

 

Just wait till you guys get a load of the plan for 2009.


WOW

 

details

 

By mid-August.

I still need to get our local planning committee together again. Can you help with that?

 

sure. ill be free after the 9th for any meetings

 

I think February would be fine for an event.

I play games OK so anything with video games sounds cool.

I'm not a good cook unless it's Ramen noodles OR microwavable

 

that wasn't the question scott

 

Okay! I am getting positive feedback from dealers in Chicago, Washington, Oregon, Northern Cal and ARIZONA!

Everyone be thinking the good thoughts and let's see what comes up over the next week or so.

 

Held in February will be great, and still call it spring quake.

I am a gamer

I can be a good cook if i want to be.

Devon

I will help on the committee if you need me .