[Spaceships] Ornithopter Wings no longer TL5+2!

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by roguebfl

The reports were of people so I don't think it was 500 lbs of moa, but more of the order of 150-200 lbs of additional load.

It went extinct over 600 years ago long before New Zealanders had writing. What reports are you referring to?

[roguebfl]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

It went extinct over 600 years ago long before New Zealanders had writing. What reports are you referring to?

the Moari culture has a strong oral tradition.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by roguebfl

the Moari culture has a strong oral tradition.

In which case perhaps we should consider the Thunder Bird and the Roc, as well? :)

[roguebfl]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

In which case perhaps we should consider the Thunder Bird and the Roc, as well? :)

I don't know the background of those. so I can't comment on them, however I have seen bones of the Haast Eagle so I have no problem believing they existed.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by roguebfl

I don't know the background of those. so I can't comment on them, however I have seen bones of the Haast Eagle so I have no problem believing they existed.

There's no disputing they existed. That doesn't mean that the myths of the Maori are accurate ornithological observations on the subject.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

There's no disputing they existed. That doesn't mean that the myths of the Maori are accurate ornithological observations on the subject.

When he was 12, my very trustworthy father saw a bigfoot. I need a bit more than eye witness testimony, especially after centuries of "telephone" to believe what color the sky was.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

When he was 12, my very trustworthy father saw a bigfoot. I need a bit more than eye witness testimony, especially after centuries of "telephone" to believe what color the sky was.

OTOTH, I don't see how it's relevant.

Big flyers are possible (whether or not they are "mostly gliders") and for certain applications (fuel efficient long loiter UAVs for example) ornithopters (even "mostly gliding" ones) are probably a better choice than other kinds of powered flight. Furthermore they becoming more and more technologically feasible.

What exactly are you arguing against?

[Bruno]

Originally Posted by roguebfl

I don't know the background of those. so I can't comment on them, however I have seen bones of the Haast Eagle so I have no problem believing they existed.

You've seen the bones of this thing and yet believe it can carry off 200 to 500 lbs of prey animals? If you prefer the 50lb weight, it's the size of two California condors duct-taped together - It's not hauling off anything it's weight, let alone 10x it's own weight. Unless you're a very small creature (We're talking ants and beetles and shrews, not 20-50 lb birds), you're not walking off with 10x your own weight let alone flying off with it.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

OTOTH, I don't see how it's relevant.

Big flyers are possible (whether or not they are "mostly gliders") and for certain applications (fuel efficient long loiter UAVs for example) ornithopters (even "mostly gliding" ones) are probably a better choice than other kinds of powered flight. Furthermore they becoming more and more technologically feasible.

What exactly are you arguing against?

I don't think bird like designs make sense for vehicles much larger than birds. Steal ideas from biology but don't copy exactly.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

I don't think bird like designs make sense for vehicles much larger than birds. Steal ideas from biology but don't copy exactly.

Vehicles the size of birds (and pterosaurs ) are pretty damn useful (and getting moreso). Especially if you want to put something in the air and have it not burn gas all the time to stay up there (but you want something more controllable than a gasbag).