This study explored the muscle strain and activation patterns of several key flight muscles of the pigeon (Columba livia) during takeoff and landing flight. Using electromyography (EMG) to measure muscle activation, and sonomicrometry to quantify muscle strain, we evaluated the muscle function patterns of the pectoralis, biceps, humerotriceps and scapulotriceps as pigeons flew between two perch...

We study robust hovering control of vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft. For hovering control, we can model a V/STOL aircraft as a planar vertical takeoff and landing (PVTOL) aircraft. We use a recently developed optimal control approach to design a robust hovering control. The resulting control is a nonlinear state feedback whose robustness is demonstrated by numerical simulat...

The triple jump is an athletic event involving three ground contact phases during which athletes must trade off the maintenance of horizontal velocity against the generation of vertical velocity. Previous studies have indicated that individual athletes have a linear relationship between the loss in horizontal velocity and the gain in vertical velocity during each phase. This study used computer...

We reviewed the growth characteristics of American boys and girls from published studies, including age at takeoff, age at peak height velocity, peak height velocity, duration of puberty, and the magnitude of the pubertal contribution to adult height. Age at takeoff is highly variable and sex-dependent. The mean takeoff age in children growing at an average rate is approximately 11 years in boy...

Jumping is a common form of locomotion for many arboreal animals. Many species of the arboreal lizard genus Anolis occupy habitats in which they must jump to and from unsteady perches, e.g. narrow branches, vines, grass and leaves. Anoles therefore often use compliant perches that could alter jump performance. In this study we conducted a small survey of the compliance of perches used by the ar...

iii Nomenclature h altitude, ft ˙ h vertical velocity, ft/sec K fnt scale factor for lift from jet-induced fountain p roll rate, deg/sec q pitch rate, deg/sec r yaw rate, deg/sec T CN cruise nozzle thrust, lb T LF lift-fan thrust, lb T LN lift-nozzle thrust, lb T R rise time, sec V airspeed, knots V ej equivalent jet velocity ratio V x ground speed, ft/sec V y lateral velocity, ft/sec β sidesli...

The purpose of an aircraft Takeoff Performance Monitoring System (TOPMS) is to provide to the pilot information pertaining to the level of safety with which a takeoff is proceeding. The authors have developed a theoretical dynamic model to investigate the feasibility of using an observer system during the roll and takeoff phases of aircraft operation to provide to the pilot the information that...

Objective: To analyze the psychophysiological response during takeoff, landing, air-air attack and air-ground maneuvers. Methods: A total of 11 expert pilots (age=33.36 (5.37)) from Spanish Air Force participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants had to complete a flight simulator following missions: 1) takeoff; 2) Air-air attack; 3) Air-Ground attack, 4) Landing. The electroencephalo...