Sonoran Desert Flyers

A typical Saturday morning at the Sonoran Desert Flyers' field at Naranja Park in Oro Valley, AZ. Video by Prof. David Iadevaia who is a member of the Sonoran Desert Flyers and the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Lots of physics and technology going on here! Check us out at www.sonorandesertflyers.us

What Was the Miracle of the Sun: An Astronomer's View

Professor Iadevaia gave the first lecture of the Pima College 2012 Distinguished Faculty Speakers' Series on 7 February 2012. The lecture was given to an anticipated audience of 40-60 people. The actual number of participates was 221. This is the raw video from the lecture and is about 50 minutes long. The lecture was about the unusual behavior of the Sun witnessed by over 30,000 people on 13 October 1917 at Fatima.

Yellow Bird Test Three

The importance of the CG (center of gravity) , the stiffness and alignment of the flight surfaces results in a properly flying plane. In this video clip Prof. Iadevaia shows the results of YellowBird's successful taxi, take-off, flight and landing after the repairs and modifications made from data acquired during the two previous tests. Of course, time spent on the flight simulator program didn't hurt!

The video camera performed just fine. The camera's pointing is a slight issue but can be corrected by tightening a small bolt. In conclusion YellowBird is a suitable platform for aerial video. It is stable.

Yellow Bird Test Two

This is a continuation of Prof. Iadevaia's experiments in imaging from altitude. This is the second test of Yellow Bird and the video camera. Abandoning the take off roll, I elected to use the hand launch method with camera mounted. Three successful flights were conducted and on board video was taken. Here are the results. Time to learn to fly a different type aircraft. It may be small but you still need basic stick and rudder skills!

Yellow Bird Test One

This is a continuation of Prof. Iadevaia's experiments in imaging from altitude. This is the first test of Yellow Bird and the video camera. The plane would not take off due to the inability to run straight during the take off roll. Pilot error, rough surface, small wheels or all of the above? I removed the camera and finally got the plane to take off. After minor repairs and alignment the second test was performed. Flying an RC plane is much different than the real thing...but now, for me, this is the real thing!

An interesting observation

An interesting observation made by Prof. Iadevaia on 7 Jan 2012 suggests that a disturbance in a moving medium does not result in a change of wavelength as a result of the moving medium but a distortion of the disturbance. The stream used for the experiment is found just above the Sabino Canyon Dam. It is wide and shallow with a constant velocity. The flow is laminar. Anyone have any ideas? Maybe a more controlled experiment would reveal what is happening. A curious result non the less.

Demonstration of An Equatorial Sundial

Prof. Iadevaia demonstrates the workings of an equatorial sundial. From August to November the shadow can be seen on the top face then the bottom face. On the day of the equinox no shadow is seen.