This month's AE presenter: Kailash
Date of presentation: 26-Oct-2020
Subject: Telescope Basics
Description: Kailash gave a discussion about telescopes - how they work, how they differ from one another, and ended with a brief discussion of which type he recommends for novice astronomers.
26 October 2020
28 September 2020
Presentation: September 2020
This month's AE presenter: Jeff
Date of presentation: 28 Sept 2020
Subject: Three "Forgotten" Aircraft
Description: Tonight, Jeff talked about three aircraft that are often forgotten when discussions of aviation history arise: the DC-4. the DC-5, and the DC-6. Jeff himself remembers much talk of the DC-3 and DC-7, but these three in the middle often get overlooked.
The DC-4 had a number of improvements over the DC-3, not least of which was the tricycle gear rather than taildragger, but it still had an unpressurized cabin.
The DC-6 was almost a longer, more powerful version of the DC-4, with a pressurized cabin so passengers could enjoy the flights more. Both of these were good designs and had moderate success both in the marketplace and in the military.
Not so the DC-5, which was an unrelated design that was obsolescent before the prototype was even built. Only 12 ever were.
24 August 2020
Presentation: August 2020
This month's AE presenter: Jeff
Date of presentation: 24 Aug 2020
Subject: Wildfires and Air Quality
Description: The presentation for August concerned the air quality, or lack thereof, in California with the wildfires surrounding the Bay Area and all over the state. Jeff talked about the causes of these wildfires (dry brush, extreme heat, "dry" lightning), as well as the health effects of breathing smoky air, the effects on flying, and how to protect oneself as much as possible.
Date of presentation: 24 Aug 2020
Subject: Wildfires and Air Quality
Description: The presentation for August concerned the air quality, or lack thereof, in California with the wildfires surrounding the Bay Area and all over the state. Jeff talked about the causes of these wildfires (dry brush, extreme heat, "dry" lightning), as well as the health effects of breathing smoky air, the effects on flying, and how to protect oneself as much as possible.
20 July 2020
Presentation: July 2020
This month's AE presenter: Jeff
Date of presentation: 20 July 2020
Subject: Black Aviation Pioneers
Description: Jeff's presentation for tonight took advantage of the recent discussions about race and racial issues on the news by using the opportunity to shine a light on a number of early black aviators. The goal was to discuss the contributions they made to aviation in general, and more specifically, to the ways in which their pioneering efforts paved the way for other black aviators to become part of aviation history.
Date of presentation: 20 July 2020
Subject: Black Aviation Pioneers
Description: Jeff's presentation for tonight took advantage of the recent discussions about race and racial issues on the news by using the opportunity to shine a light on a number of early black aviators. The goal was to discuss the contributions they made to aviation in general, and more specifically, to the ways in which their pioneering efforts paved the way for other black aviators to become part of aviation history.
29 June 2020
No presentation: June 2020
Unfortunately, events at Squadron 80 conspired to fill the month of June with activities that outweighed the monthly AE presentation in
importance. We'll definitely be back in July, though.
25 May 2020
No presentation: May 2020
Apparently, there was no AE presentation given in May 2020. Sorry for any confusion.
27 April 2020
(Abortive) Presentation, April 2020
This month's AE presenter: Jeff
Date of presentation: 27-Apr-2020 (likely)
Subject: Aerospace Trivia
Description: The intent of this presentation was for Jeff to host a Jeopardy-style trivia game that the squadron would participate in. Unfortunately, chance had other plans, as Jeff's computer chose that exact time to start throwing fits. After several attempts to restart the game, trimming other operating software to a bare minimum, etc., it was determined that this game was a lost cause. Apparently Jeff's poor old laptop simply lacks the horsepower to run twin behemoth programs Microsoft Teams and Mozilla Firefox simultaneously. An exceedingly awkward time was had by all.
Note that my memory is not the best and I am not certain this fiasco occurred on 18-May; it just seems the most likely date, and I had to pick something. In any event, it was within a week or two at the most.
Date of presentation: 27-Apr-2020 (likely)
Subject: Aerospace Trivia
Description: The intent of this presentation was for Jeff to host a Jeopardy-style trivia game that the squadron would participate in. Unfortunately, chance had other plans, as Jeff's computer chose that exact time to start throwing fits. After several attempts to restart the game, trimming other operating software to a bare minimum, etc., it was determined that this game was a lost cause. Apparently Jeff's poor old laptop simply lacks the horsepower to run twin behemoth programs Microsoft Teams and Mozilla Firefox simultaneously. An exceedingly awkward time was had by all.
Note that my memory is not the best and I am not certain this fiasco occurred on 18-May; it just seems the most likely date, and I had to pick something. In any event, it was within a week or two at the most.
Update, 26-Aug-2021: New evidence (email) has come to light suggesting that the actual date of this fiasco was 27-Apr-2020.
23 March 2020
Presentation: March 2020
This month's AE presenter: Kyle
Date of presentation: 23 Mar 2020
Subject: The Boeing 737 Max
Description: The Boeing 737 has a long history of being a successful and best-selling aircraft, until now. The latest generation named the Max has been grounded for over a year now with no end in sight. Kyle's excellent presentation explained what went wrong with the best seller.
Date of presentation: 23 Mar 2020
Subject: The Boeing 737 Max
Description: The Boeing 737 has a long history of being a successful and best-selling aircraft, until now. The latest generation named the Max has been grounded for over a year now with no end in sight. Kyle's excellent presentation explained what went wrong with the best seller.
24 February 2020
Presentation: February 2020
This month's AE presenter: Kailash
Date of presentation: 24 Feb 2020
Subject: Starliner - A NASA / Boeing Joint Mission
Description: For February, Kailash presented an overview of the NASA/Boeing mission Starliner - an alternative to SpaceX's "Crew Dragon" project that will hopefully bring American astronauts to the International Space Station in the not-too-distant future, and perhaps even farther after that. The presentation touched on such subjects as: cost/benefit vs. alternatives such as Crew Dragon and/or Soyuz; reusability of at least some of the components (the crew module, for one); details of the spacecraft and launch vehicle; supply chain and operations; crew and cargo accommodations; and a bit about the various forms of testing the craft has undergone so far.
Date of presentation: 24 Feb 2020
Subject: Starliner - A NASA / Boeing Joint Mission
Description: For February, Kailash presented an overview of the NASA/Boeing mission Starliner - an alternative to SpaceX's "Crew Dragon" project that will hopefully bring American astronauts to the International Space Station in the not-too-distant future, and perhaps even farther after that. The presentation touched on such subjects as: cost/benefit vs. alternatives such as Crew Dragon and/or Soyuz; reusability of at least some of the components (the crew module, for one); details of the spacecraft and launch vehicle; supply chain and operations; crew and cargo accommodations; and a bit about the various forms of testing the craft has undergone so far.
31 January 2020
No presentation: January 2020
Unfortunately, events at Squadron 80 conspired to fill the month of January with activities that outweighed the monthly AE presentation in importance. We'll definitely be back in February, though.
02 December 2019
No presentation: December 2019
I have just been informed by my CO that there will be no opportunity to give an AE presentation in December 2019. So the squadron will be bereft of my amazing presentation skills, at least until January 2020.
My best wishes for a happy December and prosperous new year to all!
My best wishes for a happy December and prosperous new year to all!
18 November 2019
Presentation: November 2019
This month's AE presenter: Jeff
Date of presentation: 18-Nov-2019
Subject: Aerospace CAP-ardy!
Description: For November, Jeff put together another rousing edition of CAP-ardy!, the game show that's sweeping all of CAP. Well, at least here in Squadron 80. Six aerospace-related categories ("Space Exploration", "Look! Up in the sky!" (astronomy), "It's a bird!" (hazards of bird strikes), "It's a plane!" (airlines), "The P-51 Mustang", and "AE Inside and Out"), including the last one provided by the Squadron CO himself, made for a fun evening with lots of aerospace discussions.
This was, of course, DESPITE the problems Jeff had with the software he wrote to play the game. Ultimately, its flaws became part of the fun. He hopes to have some of the problems worked out of it by the next time he trots it out.
Date of presentation: 18-Nov-2019
Subject: Aerospace CAP-ardy!
Description: For November, Jeff put together another rousing edition of CAP-ardy!, the game show that's sweeping all of CAP. Well, at least here in Squadron 80. Six aerospace-related categories ("Space Exploration", "Look! Up in the sky!" (astronomy), "It's a bird!" (hazards of bird strikes), "It's a plane!" (airlines), "The P-51 Mustang", and "AE Inside and Out"), including the last one provided by the Squadron CO himself, made for a fun evening with lots of aerospace discussions.
This was, of course, DESPITE the problems Jeff had with the software he wrote to play the game. Ultimately, its flaws became part of the fun. He hopes to have some of the problems worked out of it by the next time he trots it out.
28 October 2019
Presentation: October 2019
This month's AE presenter: Kailash Kalidoss
Date of presentation: 28 Oct 1029
Subject: SOFIA - Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy
Description: The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is an 80/20 joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to construct and maintain an airborne observatory. NASA was awarded the contract for the development of the aircraft, operation of the observatory and management of the American part of the project.
CAP members from Group 2 were invited to get up close with SOFIA, an airborne observatory that visited NASA’s Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California on 19-October-2019. Some lucky CAP members got a unique opportunity to interact with the Mission Operator and learn some unique insights about the SOFIA project.
SOFIA is based on a Boeing 747SP, a special wide-body aircraft that has been modified to include a large door in the aft fuselage that can be opened in flight to allow a 2.5 m (8.2 ft) diameter reflecting telescope access to the sky.
The primary science objectives of SOFIA are to study the composition of planetary atmospheres and surfaces; to investigate the structure, evolution and composition of comets; to determine the physics and chemistry of the interstellar medium; and to explore the formation of stars and other stellar and celestial objects.
For more information watch the YouTube video on SOFIA and view the presentation to CAP, Squadron 80 on 28-Oct-2019.
Date of presentation: 28 Oct 1029
Subject: SOFIA - Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy
Description: The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is an 80/20 joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to construct and maintain an airborne observatory. NASA was awarded the contract for the development of the aircraft, operation of the observatory and management of the American part of the project.
CAP members from Group 2 were invited to get up close with SOFIA, an airborne observatory that visited NASA’s Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California on 19-October-2019. Some lucky CAP members got a unique opportunity to interact with the Mission Operator and learn some unique insights about the SOFIA project.
SOFIA is based on a Boeing 747SP, a special wide-body aircraft that has been modified to include a large door in the aft fuselage that can be opened in flight to allow a 2.5 m (8.2 ft) diameter reflecting telescope access to the sky.
The primary science objectives of SOFIA are to study the composition of planetary atmospheres and surfaces; to investigate the structure, evolution and composition of comets; to determine the physics and chemistry of the interstellar medium; and to explore the formation of stars and other stellar and celestial objects.
For more information watch the YouTube video on SOFIA and view the presentation to CAP, Squadron 80 on 28-Oct-2019.
23 September 2019
Presentation: September 2019
This month's AE presenter: James AuBuchon
Date of presentation: 23 Sept 2019
Subject: How to Build a Space System III, Orbits
Description: Jim continued his series on how to build a space system with the third installment about orbits.
An orbit is the path taken by a celestial body under the gravitational influence of another body. They may be open or closed. The orbital characteristics of man-made space systems may be selected to best serve the mission of the space system. Closed orbits in a two-body system are ellipses with each body orbiting the barycenter (center of gravity) of the system. If one of the two objects is extremely massive (in comparison to the other), the barycenter may be within the more massive body. Such is the case in the Solar System, the Earth-moon system, and man-made satellites orbiting a planetary body.
Six parameters are required to describe an orbit. The six Newtonian parameters are equivalent to the six Keplerian parameters. Either parameter set can be used. Orbits may be perturbed by a long list of factors, hence the need for station-keeping in man-made satellites. Perturbations can be deliberately introduced to change the orbit for operational reasons. Orbits of man-made satellites are selected to optimize altitude, inclination, and synchronicity with the rotational period of the central body, and eccentricity. These choices represent various operational trade-offs and are selected to suit the mission of the satellite. Some of these trade-offs are discussed in greater detail. Satellites can be caused to orbit about Lagrange points.
Date of presentation: 23 Sept 2019
Subject: How to Build a Space System III, Orbits
Description: Jim continued his series on how to build a space system with the third installment about orbits.
An orbit is the path taken by a celestial body under the gravitational influence of another body. They may be open or closed. The orbital characteristics of man-made space systems may be selected to best serve the mission of the space system. Closed orbits in a two-body system are ellipses with each body orbiting the barycenter (center of gravity) of the system. If one of the two objects is extremely massive (in comparison to the other), the barycenter may be within the more massive body. Such is the case in the Solar System, the Earth-moon system, and man-made satellites orbiting a planetary body.
Six parameters are required to describe an orbit. The six Newtonian parameters are equivalent to the six Keplerian parameters. Either parameter set can be used. Orbits may be perturbed by a long list of factors, hence the need for station-keeping in man-made satellites. Perturbations can be deliberately introduced to change the orbit for operational reasons. Orbits of man-made satellites are selected to optimize altitude, inclination, and synchronicity with the rotational period of the central body, and eccentricity. These choices represent various operational trade-offs and are selected to suit the mission of the satellite. Some of these trade-offs are discussed in greater detail. Satellites can be caused to orbit about Lagrange points.
26 August 2019
Presentations: August 2019
This month's AE presenter: Jeff
Date of presentation: 26 Aug 2019
Subject: Why does the 737-200 still fly in Canada?
Subject: Saving the Dark
Description: Jeff gave two separate short presentations this time, rather than a single longer one. Here are brief descriptions of both:
First, why does the 737-200 still fly in Canada? This aircraft, the second iteration of the well-regarded 737 series, stopped production in 1988, meaning the youngest of these aircraft are over 30 years old. Of the worldwide fleet of 58 still in commercial service as of July 2018, 17 (about 29%) are flying in Canada. What makes this plane so popular there?
The biggest advantage is that it can be relatively easily fitted with a gravel kit: a combination of gravel deflectors attached to the nose wheel, vortex dissipators attached to the engine nacelles, and structural enhancements to the lower fuselage. These devices allow this large plane to conduct operations on unpaved fields that are the norm in northern Canada, allowing the plane to bring in basic necessities and to provide those living in remote settlements a way to travel to and from the region.
Given that much of northern Canada is peppered with these remote and temporary settlements (small towns, mining camps, etc.) that may only be accessible by air and for which permanent paved landing structures will probably never be available, the 737-200 is a vital lifeline to those who live there.
The second presentation was a repeat of a presentation first given just over a year ago, in July 2018, entitled "Saving the Dark". This presentation concerned the growing problem of light pollution in and around urban and suburban areas, and detailed a number of issues, such as: the effects that excessive light can have on the health of both humans and wildlife; the waste of energy involved in producing light that isn't needed or even useful; and ways in which we can strive to reduce the amount of light pollution we produce.
I felt that it was a good idea to repeat this presentation, even though it has been barely a year since originally presented, since there is a substantial number of new faces in the squadron who wouldn't have been here to see it when I first presented it.
Date of presentation: 26 Aug 2019
Subject: Why does the 737-200 still fly in Canada?
Subject: Saving the Dark
Description: Jeff gave two separate short presentations this time, rather than a single longer one. Here are brief descriptions of both:
First, why does the 737-200 still fly in Canada? This aircraft, the second iteration of the well-regarded 737 series, stopped production in 1988, meaning the youngest of these aircraft are over 30 years old. Of the worldwide fleet of 58 still in commercial service as of July 2018, 17 (about 29%) are flying in Canada. What makes this plane so popular there?
The biggest advantage is that it can be relatively easily fitted with a gravel kit: a combination of gravel deflectors attached to the nose wheel, vortex dissipators attached to the engine nacelles, and structural enhancements to the lower fuselage. These devices allow this large plane to conduct operations on unpaved fields that are the norm in northern Canada, allowing the plane to bring in basic necessities and to provide those living in remote settlements a way to travel to and from the region.
Given that much of northern Canada is peppered with these remote and temporary settlements (small towns, mining camps, etc.) that may only be accessible by air and for which permanent paved landing structures will probably never be available, the 737-200 is a vital lifeline to those who live there.
The second presentation was a repeat of a presentation first given just over a year ago, in July 2018, entitled "Saving the Dark". This presentation concerned the growing problem of light pollution in and around urban and suburban areas, and detailed a number of issues, such as: the effects that excessive light can have on the health of both humans and wildlife; the waste of energy involved in producing light that isn't needed or even useful; and ways in which we can strive to reduce the amount of light pollution we produce.
I felt that it was a good idea to repeat this presentation, even though it has been barely a year since originally presented, since there is a substantial number of new faces in the squadron who wouldn't have been here to see it when I first presented it.
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