dunlap@bigboote.csd.sgi.com (Chris Dunlap) (06/25/91)
Frank Nagy of FermiLab came in with the first description judged to be "complete and correct" by my judges. Here is his description: >I hope this is satisfactory (I still think like a physicist): > > Since the plane is flying, the altitude must be a positive > value, let us call this X. This is measured between the > plane's ventral surface (here I hope I'm using ventral > correctly as being the plane's "bottom" surface - for instance > before taking off the ventral surface is nearest the ground > (except for the landing gear ;-) in normal attitude). The > pilot's eyes are then Y feet above the ventral surface; or > X+Y feet above the ground in normal attitude. > > Now, when flying inverted, the ventral surface of the plane > is *furthest* from the ground. Thus inverted flight with > altitude X has the pilot's eyes at X-Y (remember, inverted > flight) feet above the ground. Since the algorithm for > "I've crashed into the ground and can't get up" is to just > examine the X value, judicious flying in inverted position > will make X positive but have X-Y negative (below ground > level) which supposedly leads to rather interesing displays. > (I can't say since I have a tendency to get into the X<0 > regime too easily.) > Congratulations to Frank. As soon as he gets me his address I'll be sending out his shirt... chris