Standing Down Today (+0 Miles)
November 17, 2007: Migration Day 36

Joe takes a test flight.
Photo
Operation Migration

Winds blew from the south on this freezing cold morning on Muscatatuck (say Mus CAT uh tuck) NWR but Joe took a trike up to test the winds anyway. We watched from the ground as he did lazy zigs zags in the sky, swooping low over the crowd to wave, and then climbed again.Then he turned the aircraft south, right into the winds. We didn't have to wait for the verdict; we saw Joe's trike just hang in mid air, barely moving forward as it faced into the winds. No go for the trike and no go for the cranes. Several kids and their parents or teacher were there to watch on this Saturday morning. Tomorrow looks like a better forecast, though, and craniacs within driving distance of should have a good chance at seeing the birds depart for Kentucky. (See Entry 4 November 16, 2007 on Operation Migration's web site for driving directions. >>).

In the Classroom

  • Today's Journal Question: (a) Joe told me his indicated air speed was 38 mph but just 7.2 mph ground speed (he was passing over the ground at only 7.2 mph). After reading my notes above, how do you explain this?
    (b-for-bonus) How long would it take them to fly a distance of 50 miles in today's headwinds? Why do the pilots choose to stand down in such conditions?
  • Migration Math. Chris weighed his ultralight today and found it weighed 423 pounds with no gas in the tank. How many kilograms did Chris's ultralight weigh?

 


Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure presented in cooperation with the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP).