I'm very happy to see them doing this project, as well. However, I am
slightly concerned with the apparent fixation/focus on using the head and
crest to generate the rolling and yawing moments. It can be used to do
so, but a) the wings should still be the primary control surface
(especially for roll) and b) Ross Elgin et al have data suggesting that
large turning moments about the head would be damaging to the upper
cervicals and basicranium in most taxa (dsungeripterids, with their
massively expanded post-occipital process might have bucked the trend in
this regard).
Still, it's neat stuff :)
--Mike
On Oct 7, 2008, at 1:18 AM, jrc wrote:
Doesn't matter that it has been done before, and doesn't matter thant
pterosaurs aren't dinosaurs -- I'm glad to see Sankar doing it !!
I don't know if the group of previous builders they're joining is
select, but it sure is small :-)
JimC
P.S. If they are doing a true membrane wing, they are in for quite a
steep learning curve. If a semi-rigid wing like MacCready, it will be a
lot easier.
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