the avion
embry-riddle aeronautical university • daytona beach, florida • september 30, 2020
issue 4 • volume 154
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CAMPUS LIFE AND EVENTS Executive Board
Editor-in-Chief Victoria Jordan
editor@theavion.com
Managing Editor Vipul Telang
managing@theavion.com
News Editor Oliver Du Bois
news@theavion.com
Photo Editor Alani Seaman
photo@theavion.com
Business Manager Samantha Stirmel business@theavion.com
Staff Advisor Ronnie Mack
Assistant Director of Orientation & Communications
Contact Information
Two Generous Donors Kickstart New Offshore Sailing Program Jack Rachek Public Relations Manager This summer, the Embry-Riddle Sailing Club became the lucky recipients of a very generous donation. Mike and Valerie Taylor, two lifelong sailors, made the decision to donate their 32-foot Evelyn 32-2 Sailboat in an effort to promote the sport of sailing among young adults. This donation, valued at over $20,000, was the largest do-
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Jack Rachek/Avion Newspaper
“Lively,” the Evelyn 32-2, sits in a boat slip at Melbourne Yacht Club before being turned over to the Embry-Riddle Sailing Club and sailed to its new home at the Halifax Harbor Marina in Daytona Beach.
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nation ever received by the sailing club and has kick-started a new offshore sailing team. Their generosity will have profound impact on the future of Embry-Riddle’s sailing program and will make sailing accessible to students, faculty, and staff through new educational programs that are only possible because of their kind donation. Embry-Riddle’s close proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean makes it a prime location to host a sailing program and
other waterfront activities. Surfing, Rowing, and Sailing are all unique programs offered to students and this latest donation will only expand Embry-Riddle’s presence on the water. With this new donation, a new offshore sailing program will offer students unique opportunities that they likely would not have access to at other universities. Currently, there are roughly 200 universities in the United States with sailing programs that compete in the Intercollegiate Sailing Association. Of those programs, less than half offer an offshore program, and even fewer own a keelboat for their team. This puts Embry-Riddle in a unique position, owning a keelboat and also being in close proximity to Ponce Inlet where the team can practice and train for regattas. The Embry-Riddle sailing club will now be comprised of a dinghy team, offshore sailing team, learn to sail program, and safe boating course for faculty, staff, and students. The primary goal will be to promote sailing in young adults, offer a low barrier to entry, and the resources needed to become a competent sailor. The offshore sailing team will also begin to represent Embry-Riddle on the national level in competitions across the country as well as locally in Florida. The boat donated is an Evelyn 32-2 racing sailboat. Designer Bob Evelyn constructed the boat to be a performance sailboat with a sleek, low profile design and extremely lightweight characteristics, weighing almost half that of a comparable size sailboat. The boat is also fitted with high performance equipment and gear, such as custom Kevlar/Dacron sails. These qualities
come together to make a competitive sailboat with performance characteristics that make it tough to beat on the race course. The sailing team has already competed in several local events with exceptional results and experienced first-hand the incredible design of the boat. The team will continue to prepare for the hopeful return of the college sailing season in Spring 2021. In the meantime, the sailing team and sailing club will continue to grow the program. The generosity and kindness of Mike and Valerie Taylor will have a lasting impact on the student body at Embry-Riddle. Their donation will be used to educate hundreds of students over the course of many years and will ultimately achieve their intended goal promoting the sport of sailing in youth and young adults.
Jack Rachek/The Avion Newspaper
Mike and Valerie Taylor pose for one last photo with their boat, “Lively,” before signing paperwork to donate “Lively” to the Embry-Riddle Sailing Club.
CAMPUS LIFE AND EVENTS Opinion: The D in DeSantis Stands for Dumb Florida Governor Continues to Reopen Bars & Restaurants Despite Pandemic Oliver Du Bois & Vipul Telang News Editor & Managing Editor On Friday, Sept. 25, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida will go into Phase Three of reopening from COVID-19 restrictions. This order, which seemingly came out of nowhere in the eyes of many, will remove mask restrictions, as well as social distancing restrictions for local businesses. While many are praising DeSantis for “moving Florida forward” amid this global pandemic, there are others who believe this untimely order will inevitably cause a spike in COVID-19 cases across the state. Phase Three will, first and foremost, suspend all penalties and fines issued for Floridians that refused to wear a mask in public places. In his reasoning for this, the governor stated, “I think we need to get away from trying to penalize people for social distancing and just work with people constructively.” The order will also allow for restaurants and bars to operate at a minimum of 50% capacity, allow gyms to operate at full capacity, permit employees to resume non-essential travels, and bar local businesses from closing due to COVID-19 concerns. However, Phase Three does recommend that businesses maintain some social distancing protocols and continue to maintain adequate sanitation practices, such as the routine cleaning of laminated menus. This order excludes sports venues and theme parks, which were initially excluded from state-imposed restrictions. While theme parks and sports venues will be permitted to return to normal operations with minimal social distancing, they can mandate their own distancing and mask requirements as they see fit,
meaning that they can penalize attendees for not wearing masks or following social distancing requirements as they see fit. The Phase Three order comes as a shock for many, as Florida has been a COVID-19 hotspot with almost 700,000 confirmed cases and 14,000 deaths related to COVID-19. While hospitalizations have steadily declined since July, research done by the New York Times shows that the average number of daily cases has increased 5% in the last two weeks. Furthermore, as of Friday, Florida has the third-highest number of COVID-19 cases in the United States behind California and Texas. Despite the announcing of Phase Three, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demmings urged residents of the area to continue wearing masks and practice social distancing “irrespective of the governor’s order.” Both were caught off-guard by the decision to lift the restrictions on bars, restaurants, and other businesses, and warned people that the global pandemic is far from over. While the COVID-19 pandemic has not ended, society “must continue to function even as citizens take measures to prevent the spread,” DeSantis stated, and imposing lockdowns “is not the way forward for us.” His words are certainly wonderful to hear for many, but plenty of Floridians are fearful over what reopening Florida will mean for their health and well-being. This decision also has important political ramifications. DeSantis mirrored President Trump’s speech last week, in which Trump announced, “We want to get back to normal life.” Florida is a must-win state for Trump as he prepares for a hopeful
re-election in November. DeSantis, a staunch Republican, bragged on Friday that “the state of Florida is probably the most open big state in the country.” DeSantis attended a Trump rally in Jacksonville at which the President praised Florida’s reopening plan and expects that “the Florida tourism and hospitality industries will reach record highs.” In our opinion, it is an absolute shame and disgrace that Governor DeSantis will readily risk the lives of his citizens in order to appease the president. The fact that DeSantis is progressing into Phase Three of Florida’s reopening, despite Florida being a hotspot for COVID-19, is a mockery of what elected officials should stand for. Governor DeSantis should not be so caught up in playing political games, but instead focus on minimizing the risk now posed due to Phase Three. Last week, several students from both the Daytona and Prescott campuses were suspended for the Fall 2020 semester after ignoring physical distancing, face coverings, and other university directives. Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler emphasized that the University has clearly stated its mandatory health precautions and other COVID-19 guidelines. Although Florida is entering Phase Three, Embry-Riddle Daytona Student Government Association President Jim Myers reminds students to question, “How badly do you want it?” Just because Phase Three has been announced does not mean that you should stop being conscious of the global pandemic. Remember that social distancing protocols and mask protocols will not only keep you safe, but it will also protect those around you. If not for you, follow COVID-19 protocols for others instead.
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Page Editors Cover Photo Hunter Lyons Campus Editors Salim Roig Vipul Telang Hunter Lyons Janielyse Cardona Samir Khairi Oliver Du Bois Industry Editors Vipul Telang Joshua Rosado Romeia Al-Hajeri Victoria Jordan Alani Seaman Andrea Gamble Comics Editor Samantha Stirmel Copy Editors Kevin Gellin Abigail Laveroni Marlena Purcell
Contributors Reporters Photographers
Oliver Du Bois Vipul Telang Rajan Khanna Alani Seaman Chirag Mehrotra Jack Rachek Gianna Castano Mike Shekari
Vipul Telang Rajan Khanna Joshua Rosado Jack Rachek
Correspondents
Hunter Lyons, Stephen Brown, Melanie Azam, Andrea Gamble, Ana Pajic, Chancellor Lackey-White, Reverend Keck, Jessyca Derby, William Shelstad, Weerachet Sinlapanuntakul, Emily Rickel
The Avion is produced weekly during the fall and spring term. The Avion is produced by a volunteer student staff. Student editors make all content, business and editorial decisions. The editorial opinions expressed in The Avion are solely the opinion of the undersigned writer(s), and not those of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the Student Government Association, The Avion, or the student body. Letters appearing in The Avion are those of the writer, identified at the end of the letter. Opinions expressed in the “Student Government” and “Student Life” sections are those of the identified writer. Letters may be submitted to The Avion for publication, provided they are not lewd, obscene or libelous. Letter writers must confine themselves to less than 1200 words. Letters may be edited for brevity and formatted to newspaper guidelines. All letters must be signed. Names may be withheld at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief. The Avion is an open forum for student expression. The Avion is a division of the Student Government Association. The Avion is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press. The costs of this publication are paid by both the Student Government Association and through advertising fees. The Avion distributes one free copy per person. Additional copies are $0.69. Theft of newspapers is a crime, and is subject to prosecution and Embry-Riddle judicial action. This newspaper and its contents are protected by United States copyright law. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in print or electronically, without the expressed written consent of The Avion.
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CAMPUS LIFE AND EVENTS
Red Rope’s 5th Annual Steel Eagle Challenge Stephen Brown Correspondent This past Saturday, some students at Embry-Riddle might have seen pairs of dirty men and women running around campus carrying a pool noodle and doing odd things like rolling around in the sand, riding around on scooters, and lining up rubber duckies at the pool. They might have also seen them flipping tires, doing burpees, or running around the track. These students witnessed participants of Red Rope’s 5th Annual Steel Eagle challenge. The Steel Eagle is a team-based obstacle course race put on by Red Rope, a club at Embry-Riddle. It is three miles long, scattered with 16 challenging obstacles all around campus. In gathering adventure-seeking, selfless individuals, the Steel Eagle gave Embry-Riddle students an adventure and a teammate to rely on and serve. These participants had no idea what they were getting into when they signed
up, but they still showed up! As the teams of two approached each of the 16 obstacles, they were required to engage chaos and confusion as they ran, carried, climbed, balanced, flipped, swam, pushed, crawled, and worked through each obstacle. The obstacles instigated remarks such as, “You want me to do what!”, “If your feet go there, where do my feet go?” and, “Dude yeah, this is like American ninja warrior!” If this event sounds appealing to you, we’ll hope to see you next year! Red Rope hosts the Steel Eagle because we desire to give our participants a taste of what those in the club do on a regular basis; put our discomforts aside as we focus with passion on the bigger picture. In binding yourself to a team, individuals were shaped to think of their teammates more often. There were two heats of racers for this event, regular and ROTC. For finishing the fastest, the ROTC heat will get to place an item in a time capsule, which will be kept in the RR shed, and each year the time capsule will gain another item. In the regular heat, teams with the six fastest times will receive a pint glass with the emblem, “Steel Eagle Finisher” on the Steel Eagle logo. The winning teams succeeded because they persevered amidst the discomfort for the passion of the bigger picture. In preparation for this race, the coronavirus posed as a daunting setback. But we adapted to social distancing by having each team member hold a pool noodle to “maintain the distance.” For those of you who don’t know what Red Rope is about, I’ll tell you. But fair warning, these words will not do justice to the intensity of the
things Red Rope does. That being said, Red Rope is an organization for those interested in the relentless pursuit of excellence. Most of us live that out in pursuit of Special Operations communities, but some of our members desire to pursue other opportunities like flying or engineering. Special Operations interest is not a requirement for joining RR. Still, our vision is to train and develop our members to relentlessly pursue excellence: a skill that can be lived out in any community. This Tuesday (9/29) is our first day of the “tryouts,” known as INDOC. If you are interested, find one of the studs wearing a red chord on their backpack (not black and red), or email revolinj@ my.erau.edu. Red Rope partnered with the fitness center to plan and execute operations for Steel Eagle 2020. We want to thank Deanna Lebeda for her commitment to helping us, and boy, did she help us! I would also like to thank Greta LeDoyen and Jake Smith for their efforts. We had tremendous help within our organization also. I want to thank
these guys for their hard work: Logan Lacourt, Nathan Johnstone, Ryan Casa, Daniel Mcguire, Jason Revolinsky, Jarrod Siglin, and Turner Kaufmann. I would also like to give a huge thank you to all of our volunteers; I was so impressed by your positive attitudes and commitment to serve. Some of our volunteers also coined the hashtag “#Steegal.” Check out Red Rope’s Instagram for more @redrope_erau.
All photos by Hunter Lyons/The Avion Newspaper
CAMPUS LIFE AND EVENTS
Hunter Lyons/The Avion Newspaper
Hunter Lyons/The Avion Newspaper
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Hunter Lyons/The Avion Newspaper
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CAMPUS LIFE AND EVENTS
Virtual Homecoming
Embry-Riddle’s First Ever Week-Long Online Homecoming is a Global Opportunity for Students and Alumni to Connect Melanie Stawicki Azam Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement Embry-Riddle students, faculty and staff are invited to join alumni from around the world from Oct. 3-10 for the first Virtual Homecoming Week, featuring eight days of social, educational, industry and networking events. View and register for 2020 Virtual Homecoming Week events and door prizes at: alumni.erau. edu/homecoming. Events are free (exception: Blue & Gold Gala and True to the Blue 5K) and all attendees will be entered into a daily prize drawing with a chance to win a gift card to the Embry-Riddle Book Store. “This is an exciting week of programming that brings students (future alumni) and alumni together to connect, share and network,” says Bill Thompson, Embry-Riddle’s executive director of alumni engagement. A Day in the Life of a Thunderbird Headlining the week’s events is alumnus U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Maj. Michael Brewer (’05). Ever wonder what it would be like to soar across the sky in an F-16? Find out on Oct. 4, when Brewer shares his experience in “A Day in the Life of a Thunderbird,” an interactive discussion. “Being a Thunderbird allows you to inspire tens of thousands of people at an air show,” Brewer said in an earlier Air Force in-
terview. “And we get to do that several times a year.” Brewer is the Thunderbird No. 3, Right Wing pilot for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, headquartered at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also serves as the squadron's training officer and alumni liaison. He is in his second season with the team. Virtual Aerial Display and Fly-In featuring Aerobatic Pilot Patty Wagstaff While Brewer kicks off the 2020 Virtual Homecoming events, renowned aerobatic pilot Patty Wagstaff will cap it off with a video-enhanced finale. “I am honored and excited to take part in Embry-Riddle’s first Virtual Homecoming Week and share my life as an aerobatic performer, competitor and instructor with others,” Wagstaff said. A six-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic Team and six-time recipient of the “First Lady of Aerobatics” Betty Skelton Award, Wagstaff is the first woman to win the title of U.S. National Aerobatic champion. She is a National Aviation Hall of Fame inductee and an Air Force Association Lifetime Achievement Award honoree. She has flown in aerial displays around the world, including shows in South and Central America, Russia, Europe, Singapore, Kenya and Iceland. Wagstaff will show a video clip
of one of her best acts and discuss her maneuvers. A Q&A session will follow. Alumna Melissa Burns (’13), a professional aerobatic pilot, display skydiver and B.A.S.E. Jumper, will also participate in the Virtual Aerial Display. Aviation Outlook: Women's Alumni Network Panel and STEM Panel Virtual Homecoming Week will also spotlight Embry-Riddle alumnae who are leaders in aviation and STEM careers. On Oct. 7, Crystal L. Barrois (’04), Delta Air Lines; Dana Donati (’19), Leadership in Flight Training Academy/Republic Airways; Kathryn P. Fraser (’18), Joby Aviation; and Dr. Rebecca Lutte (’91), University of Nebraska at Omaha Aviation Institute — who were all recently appointed to the Federal Aviation Administration’s Women in Aviation Advisory Board — will talk about their careers and discuss opportunities in the aviation industry. This special Homecoming presentation of Embry-Riddle’s Aviation Outlook is presented by the university’s three campus deans of aviation. To register: https://erau. edu/aviation-outlook. Also, on Oct. 3, Eagle alumnae Kathy Wood ('93, '18), Dassault Falcon 6X Nacelle Program/Collins Aerospace; Jacquelyn Erinne ('07), public sector engineer; and Zoë Crain ('19), NASA Johnson Space Center; will discuss their
career paths and the opportunities and challenges for women in STEM fields during a virtual STEM Panel event. “It is great to be able to showcase the diversity of our Embry-Riddle graduates, who are in a wide range of amazing jobs, and for them to be able to share the incredible things they are doing with the rest of our Eagle Community,” says Michelle Day (’91), director of alumni engagement for the Western Region and Prescott Campus. Educational, Career and Networking Events Other highlights of Homecoming Week include: • Alumnus Dr. Scott Burgess (’99) with the Worldwide Campus' Department of Flight: Virtual Tech Talk: Aircraft Accident Investigation, Oct. 5; • Connections and Conversations with Military Alumni and Students, Oct. 6; • Career Services and Industry Panel Update, Oct. 7; • International Alumni & Student Reception — a virtual get-together for all alumni and students from the Asia Campus, European Campus, and Central and South American Campus, Oct. 8; • And, many more. To register to attend, go to: alumni.erau.edu/homecoming. Zoom links with login information will be sent via email post-registration.
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The Fifth Generation of Racing Andrea Gamble Correspondent The newest prototype for the Embry-Riddle SAE is built and ready to be tested! As I prepared to interview the members of the team, they prepared to test their motorized vehicle. I spoke with two different hands-on members about what it takes to get this racecar up and moving, and here’s what they had to say. Jannea Katic from the Sub-Team The car is not as heavy as it looks, which is one of the main things we like to focus on when assembling it. We use real carbon fiber, so weight is one of the most important factors. This car weighs about 103lbs, but within the competition, there is no minimum or maximum amount that the car should weigh. Anywhere we can take a pound or so off, we do. Justin Folan on the Powertrain Lead We are using the Honda CBR600RR motorcycle racing engine. We have heavily modified it for multiple reasons. One of the modifications is running a dry oil system. The motorcycle oil tank reservoir is really big, so using ours drops it down about an inch in size. The other really big reason is when you drive and race motorcycle engines, when going into a turn, the engine turns with the motorcycle, and all of the oil goes down. On a racecar, you stay in the same position, and when you turn, instead of going up and down, the oil moves laterally. That will starve certain aspects of the motor under certain loads from
getting proper oil pressure and other factors. With our oil system, we push the oil through the car making sure it gets to all sides. We use a dual radiator system, which is actually the first dual radiator system any of our cars has ever had. We also are running paddle shifting this time. We have our own custom gas system. Also, for league rules, everything must run through a 20 mm restrictor. When in the wild, this engine can get up to 150 horsepower, but because we are running it through a smaller restrictor, it really limits the amount of power we can create with it. Right now, we are at about 70 horsepower with the restrictor. Other than that, just about everything (excluding engine, tires, wheels, springs, and dampers) is hand-made by the students here at Riddle. SAE is on their way to the top, and with these new placements in action, they are sure to beat any competition they come across. While switching out the new race tires for used ones and system checking, preparing to test run the race car, I snuck off to ask the man behind the madness some questions to get a higher-level perspective of just how this team was made.
KB: As of right now, we are working on getting it to shift gears a lot faster because, of course, it is geared short, and we get from 0-60 mph in about 3 seconds. In addition to that, we are also working on getting the engine to run a little smoother and trying to get the suspension a little more in tune. AN: Will your team still be joining the international competition with COVID still going on? KB: We still plan to go to the competition, located in Michigan, in May 2021. Hopefully international teams are able to come over here, but we are not quite sure. Some come from Germany, there is one from Singapore, they are really from everywhere. There is very stiff competition since the teams come from literally everywhere. It is the most prestigious internal combustion competition for this whole de-
sign series. There are 120 teams, so hopefully we can come out on top. AN: How do I join? KB: Just come knock on the door of the M building, as long as it's between 8 a.m. and midnight. We also have a discord link on the front door, so if you want to go through that server you are more than welcome. You can also join through campus groups. AN: How many members are a part of your team? KB: For freshman, we have already gained about 10, which is very good. Overall, we have about 25 from senior design and prelim design. We also have another 20 or so more from the club team, so in all we have a pretty strong team this year, mostly made up of engineers, but anyone is encouraged to join.
The Avion Newspaper: How are these products different from last year's products? Kyle Beveridge (President): We went through everything and refined all of our designs, making everything lighter, better, faster, and stronger. AN: What improvements still need to be worked on before the car is ready to compete?
Joshua Rosado/The Avion Newspaper
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CAMPUS LIFE AND EVENTS
Research with Dr. Doherty
Gianna Castano Distribution Manager Professor Shawn Doherty is a Human Factors and Psychology Associate Professor here at Embry-Riddle. He acts as the Human Factors department’s internship coordinator and is the advisor for The Human Factor’s and Ergonomics Society and Gamer’s Guild. He also acts as the Chair of the Virtual Environments Technical Group for the National Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Currently, Professor Doherty is researching human factors in video games.
SD: A recent publication I was involved in had to do with the use of escape rooms for research. Escape rooms are a puzzle game set in the real-world where a team of people are placed inside a room and given 60 minutes to escape the room. (...) Our paper discussed using escape rooms for investigating research on teams and teamwork. This is one of my favorite articles because I really enjoy escape rooms as a participant and so being involved with a paper that explores the use of escape rooms for research was exciting plus there isn’t a lot of research on escape rooms currently so we were able to make a contribution to a relatively novel area. AN: What excites you the most about gaming?
Photo Courtesy/Embry-Riddle
The Avion Newspaper: What is the focus of your current study or studies? Shawn Doherty: My passion in research is related to video games and entertainment. I use video games to explore human factors and psychological behavior but also am interested in game play behavior itself. AN: What is your favorite journal article you have published so far?
SD: I really enjoy gaming because I enjoy playing games. My favorites are ones that contain a rich story or involve exploration but one of the most interesting things about gaming is that there are many reasons why people play games that provide a wealth of behavior to explore in research. Plus, it’s rewarding to investigate a domain that people enjoy so much and try to understand what creates that enjoyment and how to increase that enjoyment (...). I also really enjoy research in gaming because it is changing so rapidly with the implementation of technologies such as virtual reality and the greater acceptance of game play by the general public leading to the popularity of electronic sports (esports). AN: What inspired you to pursue human factors in the gaming realm? SD: I’ve been an avid video game
player for decades now and have always enjoyed thinking about the design and analysis of games and behavior, but it wasn’t until recently that I considered how it might integrate with research. A number of years ago some of the faculty in our department were looking to change their focus in research and we all realized that games were a domain we were all interested in and from that our Game-based Education and Advanced Research Studies (GEARS) Lab was formed. AN: Are there any cool devices you utilize to record data? What do they do? SD: Most of my research is performed with video games and screen capture devices. The devices capture the game play by the participant in the research that allows us to go back after the fact and review the game play footage for specific behaviors of inter-
est. I also use virtual reality in some of my studies and currently use an HTC Vive as part of the research study equipment that presents a virtual environment to the gamer. For example, recent studies have explored using music games in virtual reality to investigate if players experience time distortion while playing the game. In other words, (...) do they lose track of time compared to other game play experiences? The Vive helps present that information to the player and their game play is then recorded by our equipment. AN: Who can get involved in your gaming research studies? SD: Anyone can get involved, either as a participant or in helping to perform the research. They can reach me at dohertsh@erau.edu. For the full interview, read it at theavion.com!
Photo Courtesy/NASA
10 INDUSTRY & TECHNOLOGY Bringing Back a Piece of Bennu Alani Seaman Photo Editor The anticipation of OSIRIS-REx’s arrival on Bennu has been building and building and the moment everyone has been waiting for has nearly arrived. In a media teleconference this past Thursday, NASA and Lockheed Martin team leaders met to discuss the successes and future of the project with excitement teeming in their voices. The project is near its climax as OSIRISRex will descend onto the asteroid’s surface on Oct. 20, 2020, to collect the precious materials on Bennu, and fly upwards back into its orbit. It has already provided a multitude of data, exceeding its mission requirements, but the real bulk of the data will be that precious sample the team hopes to bring home safely. Bennu is a near-Earth asteroid, which is slightly taller than the Empire State Building, with a rounded shape that bulges around its equator. These near-Earth objects have always been of high fascination to researchers as they act as time capsules to the beginning of our solar system. These asteroids are made up of layers and layers of material that have been floating around, virtually untouched, since the formation of our solar system. Their materials can help us blueprint this time period and confirm our existing theories. Beyond a historical timeline, asteroids are theorized to have assisted in the beginning of life on Earth. They contain plenty of organic material, water, and other elements that are thought to have catalyzed the origin of lifeforms. Additionally, it is much easier to convince people outside of the scientific community to support the
research of these asteroids as they pose threats to human life. Bennu itself has a non-negligible chance of hitting the Earth, about one in 2,700. Understanding the nature of these objects up close allows us to better predict their movements in the future. While this will not be the first asteroid material brought back to Earth to study, it will provide an invaluable comparison of near-Earth objects for scientists around the world. Additionally, team leaders are planning to place a fraction of the material in preserved storage for a long period of time so future researchers can use it if necessary. Lori Glaze, director of NASA’s Planetary Science Division, says, “I think the Apollo program has really shown us just how important it is to save and preserve those samples in a pristine state that allows us to address questions we didn’t even know we had when the samples were collected.” Collection of the material on the asteroid’s surface will be done using an autonomous system called the Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM). This process essentially uses a reverse vacuum cleaner head to pick up the rocky material below. The craft will fire nitrogen at Bennu to cause a small eruption of material that can be sucked into the arm. The process is left entirely up to the machine, as communication from Bennu takes about 18 minutes to reach Earth. This also means the spacecraft must decide whether the trip down is safe; there is a built-in “wave-off” command that will trigger if the landing spot is unsafe or invalid for the mission needs. The project has endured sever-
al hardships throughout its time in space. The bulk of the satellite’s work is done autonomously, so the focus of the team is giving it the correct programs and instructions to stay safe and get the job done. Bennu was initially chosen due to its location, terrain, and contents. Using spectroscopy, scientists predicted Bennu would contain water and
Key events for OSIRIS-Rex’s future include its possible second sampling event, decision date, and its return to Earth. The decision date for the entire team is scheduled for Oct. 30, 2020. On this day, the team leaders will make the decision whether to go down for a second sample or not based on the success of the gathering and health of the
Image Courtesy/NASA
organic material. Bennu was also thought to have a beach-like surface, something perfect for grabbing before safely pushing away. The surface is instead extremely rocky, filled with boulders and challenging topography, which was all photographed and mapped in detail by the satellite’s devices. This took up most of 2019; trying to find a safe spot to land proved to be much more difficult than anticipated. The team decided to land in a crater named Nightingale because it is a fresh, relatively newly formed crater. The retrieval event is the biggest threat to the satellite’s safety, so it will hopefully go over smoothly next month.
spacecraft. The minimum sample they hope to collect is 60 grams, which will be split amongst scientists all around the world. A portion of this will be saved and the rest will be shared with labs around the world. The NASA scientists involved have a well established process for cataloging and analyzing returned samples. If they do decide to sample again, this event will take place in January. OSIRIS-Rex is slotted to come home on Sept. 24, 2023, where many eager scientists will await the retrieval of its contents and mark the success of an ongoing process that began around 20 years ago.
INDUSTRY & TECHNOLOGY
Fashion and Aviation
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How Do Airlines and Fashion Designers Collaborate? Ana Pajic & Chancellor Lackey-White Correspondents
The worlds of aviation and fashion have influenced each other in many ways over time. Although the field of Fashion and Aviation is vast, we have researched the work of famous designers and airlines for this article. Many fashion designers have been involved with and continue to work with airlines to create authentic clothing pieces for flight crews. Below are examples of successful collaborations that have significantly impacted both the aviation industry and the fashion field. Air France Air France represents an early example of an airline hiring a leading fashion designer to develop its image through its uniforms. Some of the most respected brands and names in fashion have been connected with Air France. During the 1960s, the airline worked with Marc Bohan at Dior to create fresh and iconic styles. The next significant name from the fashion industry is Cristobal Balenciaga, who designed winter and summer outfits for the company at the end of the 1960s. Even though the designer was someone with an established name in the industry, complaints existed about the uniforms’ practicality. Hostesses argued that the nature of their work and their working conditions should be taken into account. Air France’s uniforms have been developing over time in collaboration with different
designers, until realizing that there was a need for creating a line that shows an identity. For this specific goal, Christian Lacroix has worked with the company to create an outfit that stands out. As seen in this collection that was revealed in 2005, the importance of elegance never fades away. Qantas The next fascinating example of a successful designer and airline working together to develop new uniforms is Qantas, which had an opportunity to work with Martin Grant. The company takes a lot of pride in this collaboration and emphasizes the importance of the tradition of working with different designers. Moreover, the uniform represents this airline’s brand, where flight and ground crew are connected through their outfits. The uniforms’ style reminds one of Parisian fashion, and it stands out because of its uniqueness. One of Qantas’s main goals when redesigning their uniforms was to create a glamorous look and be recognizably different. They achieved this with the choice of navy-blue color, which has authentic stripes in red and fuchsia colors for women, and red for men. Miranda Kerr, one of the most famous Australian supermodels and well-known as a Victoria’s Secret Angel, has opened the show representing new uniforms that Martin Grant developed in 2013. Qantas has also worked with some of the best designers worldwide, such as Emilio Pucci and Peter Morrissey.
Virgin Atlantic Another well-known name in the high-fashion industry has been related to a famous airline. Virgin Atlantic had the privilege of working with Vivienne Westwood, who created new looks for uniforms in 2014. An appealing addition to the women’s outfits is the shoes with her signature hourglass heels. The choice of color for women was red, while the decision was made to use a burgundy color for the men’s line. The focus of Virgin Atlantic’s needs was creating sustainable clothes, and Vivienne Westwood represented a good fit for this reason. The material used was a polyester yarn made from recycled plastic bottles, which communicates the efforts to make a positive environmental impact and develop sustainability. Next, Virgin Atlantic has partnered with the makers of Barbie dolls for another project where young women are encouraged to choose STEM and aviation careers. The dolls they developed have a similar look to the original Virgin Atlantic uniforms and are therefore creating another mark in aviation fashion. Delta Airlines When speaking about historical moments that connect aviation and fashion, it is important to emphasize the collaboration of Delta Airlines with the famous designer Zac Posen and the retailer Lands’ End. The clothes were designed to
focus on the company’s diversity, and the way they looked was adjusted to the needs, values, and requirements for the jobs in different departments. For example, the maintenance personnel would have a distinctive uniform compared to the Delta Cargo staff or the individuals from Customer Service. Even the choice of colors for this collection was unique and aviation-oriented. The colors were named passport plum, traveling thistle, skyline slate, and cruising cardinal. An interesting finding is that employees’ opinions were valued and appreciated. They were involved in creating the uniforms from the beginning to the end of this project. The whole process lasted approximately 18 months, and the final products launched in 2018. This represents one of the ideal examples where famous designers made a powerful contribution to aviation fashion. Potential of Fashion and Aviation The stories examined in this article are examples of the Fashion and Aviation field. We have formed a research group focused on this field. We are looking at various topics, such as the history of aviation apparel, development of spacesuits, and passenger fashion (history and flight shaming articles). If you would like to get more information, or join our program, contact us through email Ana Pajic at: pajica@my.erau.edu.
12 INDUSTRY & TECHNOLOGY One Small Step for UX, Jessyca Derby, Emily Rickel, and William Shelstad Graduate Researchers Weerachet Sinlapanuntakul Undergraduate Researcher Jessyca, Emily, William, and Pitch are students in the Research in User eXperience (RUX) Lab in the Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology. RUX investigates the usability and user experience of technology in our everyday world. This is a regular column that explores different technologies typically used by Embry-Riddle students. Imagine putting on a headset, being greeted by a little red creature reminiscent of Pac-Man, and being able to interact with holograms in the comfort (and view!) of your own home. You could play a role-playing game (RPG) and defend your home from evil robots with your ray gun with the help of Dr. Grordbort, or maybe discover history’s treasures and view a hologram of an Egyptian Mummy while sitting on your couch. You could even work on a school project with a friend to strategize how to build a better working robot while you are both looking at a hologram of your design and taking notes directly on that hologram. This can all be done with the Magic Leap 1: a mixed-reality head-mounted display. The Magic Leap scans the space that you are in and understands how it works. For example, which spots are surfaces where a hologram can sit, where the walls or furniture can block holograms, and how far away you are from different surfaces (so holograms will appear
smaller the farther away they are). It can then place the 3D holograms in your space and allow you to view everything else simultaneously; it does not place you in a new digital world like virtual reality (VR), but instead brings the virtual elements to your world. That giant image of a human heart? Yup, you can place it right next to your TV. Or even put a virtual cat next to your real cat (though your real cat may get jealous)! The RUX Lab obtained two Magic Leap 1 devices over the summer. Some of our student researchers completed an out-of-box experience to discover if the Magic Leap really is a “magical” experience or if it is just a fad. An out-of-box experience is typically a user’s first interaction with a product or system from unboxing and setup all the way to the first use. Research shows that first impressions matter, as they can impact a user’s future interactions with a system. Unboxing The Magic Leap comes in a sleek box with an image of the device. After opening the box, the Quick Start Guide is there in a foam insert with the headset (aka lightwear), controller, circular battery pack (aka lightpack), other cords, and paperwork. The Quick Start Guide has instructions for downloading the Magic Leap app, unpacking components of the box, and how to wear the different parts of the Magic Leap. Setup and Configuration Once we got everything out of
Image Courtesy/MagicLeap.com
Magic Leap’s new head-mounted virtual retinal display, Magic Leap One.
the box, our first challenge was figuring out how to put on the headset and lightpack. We had some trouble clipping the lightpack to our pocket, as advised in the Quick Start Guide. The clip wasn’t very adjustable and the lightpack itself was pretty heavy, making it unsuitable for clipping to pockets made from a stretchy material. Additionally, having the headset tethered to the lightpack on our pocket felt a little awkward. We could foresee this being an issue, as users may try to set down the headset and walk away from it, only to drag the headset with them by the cord. We liked that the headset was adjustable and easy to put on. After donning our futuristic headset and lightpack, we turned on the device and followed the verbal and on-screen prompts that guided us through the rest of the setup process. First, the device
made adjustments based on our eyes and facial structure. For some users, this requires changing to a different nose piece or forehead pad. While it was easy to change out the forehead pads, it was confusing to figure out how to change the nose pieces. We found that the calibration process was enjoyable. The device mapped our surroundings accurately (it even mapped a cat!) using a fun, game-like process that involved walking around our space to hunt for waypoints that helped the device establish space boundaries. However, we noticed the verbal prompts provided throughout this process were quite loud, and it wasn’t easy to figure out how to adjust the volume.
13 One Magic Leap for Mixed Reality INDUSTRY & TECHNOLOGY
Additionally, we had to fumble with the controller for a little while to get used to the button functions and touchpad. We would have preferred a more comprehensive tutorial that introduced the controller and lightpack buttons after we finished the calibration process. First Time Use The Magic Leap does not offer much of a tutorial, just instructions on setting it up and off you go. While this may be fine for some, we had a tough time learning the controls and the meaning behind some apps (How were we supposed to know that "World" meant an App Store?) But, after fumbling around a bit, we discovered an extensive online user guide, which was helpful, although lengthy. The default apps included: Dr. G Invaders (shooting game), Gallery (image viewer), Helio (web browser), Outfit (customize an avatar that will be viewed in social apps), Overture (music player), Social (meeting room to meet up with other Magic Leap users and their avatars), User Guide, and World (app store). The holograms were very detailed and moved naturally around our environments. We were quite impressed! However, interacting with the apps was a challenge at times. Different apps used different buttons to interact with holograms and close the app, so sometimes we had to fumble around with the buttons to learn what to do. Overall, fun and visually appealing, but there was a learning curve. We installed new apps using the World app (aka App Store) and had to confirm which country we lived in. Otherwise, we would only
Image Courtesy/MagicLeap.com
Conceptual art shows what a group of friends playing with Magic Leap could look like.
be able to view a handful of apps. Once we stumbled our way to enable this setting, we discovered a decent amount of apps available. Options from shooting games (which worked well with the Magic Leap controller), familiar games with a new twist like Angry Birds, educational games where we could learn about the human heart, analyze data, or learn history, and even "Immersive Encounters" where we could watch detailed holograms flow around us. Overall, we found these fun and interesting to play around with, but we did experience the same issues as the default apps. Why can't all apps just use the same button to exit?! Ugh!
of multiple virtual screens wherever desired. The options of pushing virtual screens to display on a wall or keeping them in mid-air can provide a more nuanced experience. One of our student researchers stated that "[Magic Leap] seems
futuristic and whimsical. I am looking forward to using it again, but I question whether I will be able to use it for extended periods of time." Some developments, including usability and stability, and those related to wearability, are still the main issues about this wearable product. Apart from the physical appearance that looks somewhat uncommon, it can cause both eye and nose strain as well as an uncomfortable amount of heat around the forehead after wearing it for more than 30 minutes. Also, ordering special prescription lenses is essential for some people since it does not support those who wear glasses yet. Even though this mixed-reality product is not a game-changer, it unquestionably is a step forward to potentially shape the future of our work and home environments.
Is This the Next Big Thing? The Magic Leap utilizes spatial computing to bring a 3D collaborative workspace to life. Instead of brainstorming and sketching on Zoom meetings, it allows users to interact with their teammates in real-time while physical space and distance are no longer necessary. Users can enable the placement
Image Courtesy/MagicLeapWorld
What gaming on Magic Leap has the potential to look like in the forseeable future.
14 INDUSTRY & TECHNOLOGY Face ID Rendered Useless Chirag Mehrotra Staff Reporter When Apple unveiled the Face ID during the iPhone X launch, it was heralded as a leap in technology. Taking out the fingerprint sensor and relying solely on facial recognition technology helped Apple bring a technological revolution. Using the phone's camera to unlock the phone made it much more secure in comparison to the fingerprint and the old school passcode method. Apple subsequently removed the fingerprint scanner from all their future smartphones and relied on Face ID. However, nobody ever anticipated the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As many local and federal governments mandated mask-wearing in public areas, the Face ID became useless. According to Apple, the Face ID
needs to see the user's eyes, nose, and mouth to unlock the device. With masks on, half of our faces are covered, and thus, the Face ID technology does not work. This new marvel of technology is a dud. More simply, it does not work in today's time. It has not been used in months and it will not function for months to come. People have been forced to rely on the old-fashioned way of typing in their passcodes every single time. Entering a passcode has become a hassle for many because it takes three to four times longer to unlock the device and hinders the ability to use it. Some researches have been trying to get around the issue using some relatively simple ways. One technique that has seemed to work for some people is that they tape the top and the bottom of the mask. This way, they can con-
tour the mask to their face and set up an alternative Face ID. This method is not guaranteed to work every single time, especially if the user changes the mask. Numerous masks contour differently, which means this method has limited success. Another method people have tried with limited success includes setting up the Face ID with only half of their face covered. This way, they argue that there is a little more flexibility with the new contour of the face, resulting in a higher success rate. In conclusion, there is no way to work around the Face ID. It was designed to be impenetrable and tricking it will not work in this case. None of the supposed tricks seen on the internet are guaranteed to work and the only way to tackle this issue is to face it head-on. We need to revert to our old-fashioned ways
of just typing in the passcode manually.
Image by: Vipul Telang
Mike’s Maintenance Corner: Tach vs. Hobbs Time Mike Shekari Staff Reporter Time plays an essential role in all things aviation. Time is used to quantify pilot experience, charge for aircraft usage, and determine when maintenance actions should be performed. The different uses for tracking time on aircraft have caused most piston-powered general aviation aircraft to be equipped with two instruments to measure it: the tachometer timer and the Hobbs meter. The time on both of the instruments is displayed in hours, but the tachometer can read up to 20% percent lower than the Hobbs meter due to differences in how the time is measured. The Hobbs time is a closer mea-
sure of actual aircraft “on” time, which is why it is often used for billing and logging pilot experience. On its most basic level, the Hobbs meter counts the time when its electrical circuit is complete; yet how the circuit is completed varies widely. On some aircraft, such as the Cessna 172N model used by my flight school, the Hobbs time is measured based on how long the aircraft master switch is turned on. On other aircraft like the newer Cessna 172SP flown by Embry-Riddle, Hobbs time is measured based on how long the engine oil pressure is over a specified level. On other aircraft, Hobbs time can be based on different triggering mechanisms, like a weight on wheels switch for retractable land-
ing gear or time spent above a specified airspeed. The tachometer time, commonly known as tach time, is used to measure the time on an aircraft’s engine for maintenance purposes. Unlike the Hobbs meter, the instrument does not measure all the time that the airplane is running. It is easier to think of the tachometer like the odometer on a car measuring mileage: it counts the number of rotations made by the propeller and measures time based on the expected number of rotations per minute at cruise power. This means that when the engine is operated at less than cruise power, the clock moves slower than actual time, which is why the tach time usually is lower than the
Hobbs. Ironically, in the aircraft rental world, it is sometimes more beneficial for a company to charge renters based on the tach time instead of the Hobbs. The reason for this is that a renter may use higher power settings that result in elevated engine temperatures, and therefore increased wear, to reach their destinations. This results in less time on the Hobbs than at more conservative power settings. Discouraging this behavior makes it less likely for the aircraft owner to need a premature engine overhaul due to abusive operations, which can easily cost more money than the profit lost by charging renters using tach time instead.
SPECIAL FEATURE
15
Rocky Mountain National Park Rajan Khanna Former Editor-in-Chief High altitudes, crystal clear lakes, and panoramic views define Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. This beautiful park sits in the heart of Colorado, just about an hour from Denver. The drive takes you through the city of Estes Park, home of the Stanley Hotel, and, by extension, The Shining. It’s one of the most visited national parks with over 4.5 million visitors annually. Despite its popularity, the sheer size ensures everyone has their sanctuary within the mountains. The 235,000-acre park boasts a 7,000 feet altitude difference from its lowest point at the Big Thompson River to the highest point at Long’s Peak. Whether you enjoy hiking, climbing, off-roading, or simply relaxing at altitude, Rocky Mountain has it all. Just because it’s situated in the Rockies does not mean all the hikes are challenging. One of the most popular hikes to Emerald Lake is only 4.1 miles, with
744 feet of elevation gain. Hikers pass by Dream Lake about three miles into the hike and get an amazing view of two parallel mountains contrasted by the clear water below. Even during the summer, snowpacks are abundant and make for an easy way to cool off during the hike. Looking for a more intense hike? Trek to Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail. This trail spans 12 miles with an elevation gain of 1,837 feet. It is popular among experienced hikers. The first few miles are deceivingly easy; the waterfall scramble is where the difficulty begins. Hikers must scale slippery rocks with difficult footholds. The trail is also quite icy throughout the year, which adds to the difficulty. However, the views at the top make the whole hike worth it. Snowbanks on the bare mountain merge with the small lake and create a fantastic view. These two trails are the most popular, but Rocky Mountain National Park has over 218 more trails within its boundaries. One of the great things about this park is that many
Rajan Khanna/The Avion Newspaper
This photo depicts Hallen Peak and Flattop Moutain from the southern shore of Dream lake. Between the two mountains is the Tyndall Glacier within the gorge.
trails are now handicap accessible. Chasm Falls is a very short and easy hike that is entirely wheelchair accessible. This trail is almost always crowded, so be prepared to follow the pace of the other hikers. Not into hiking? Luckily, Rocky Mountain offers impressive views of nature from the comfort of your car. The park is home to Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the U.S. Drivers can reach just over 12,000 feet from the comfort of their vehicles and take in the beautiful view of the Rocky Mountain range. The park is also home to many species of mammals and birds, so wildlife sightings are common. Moose and elk are often seen on trails, roads, and even on campgrounds. Small mammals are also seen everywhere around the park and will try to steal your hiking snacks. Chipmunks are notorious for stealing food, so observe them from afar. Overall, Rocky Mountain National Park is a must-see park for anyone. If you have only seen
Rajan Khanna/The Avion Newspaper
Along the Bear Lake Trail there is a narrow wooden walkway over the beautiful high altitude foliage.
elevation on the east coast of the United States, you owe it to yourself to see a 14,000 foot mountain in person. The experience is unforgettable.
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COMICS & GAMES CLUES DOWN
CLUES ACROSS
1. Part of (abbr.) 4. Persons 9. Moved with a curving trajectory 14. Bitterly regret 15. Cause to feel embarrassed 16. Type of toast 17. Bobby __, NHL champ 18. Analogies 20. Mixes 22. Beloved flowers
23. Clinton special prosecutor 24. Avoids 28. Innermost brain membrane: __ mater 29. Atomic #18 30. Remain as is 31. One who’s been canonized 33. Indian king or prince 37. The Bay State 38. Forms adjectives 39. Give off 41. Partner to flow 42. Biblical Sumerian city
43. Popular clothing material 44. Organism parts 46. Central US Native American people 49. Blood type 50. Wrath 51. Perennial tropical grass 55. Vetches 58. Buffaloes 59. Envelope type 60. Tuberculosis 64. Israeli city __ Aviv 65. Pops
1. High schoolers’ dances 2. Style of rock music 3. Maryland athlete 4. Softened by soaking 5. Native Aussies 6. Some are on it 7. Clairvoyance 8. Broken piece 9. Wrong 10. Starts over 11. Where to hang clothes 12. One point north of due east 13. Gov’t lawyers 19. Mass of eggs in a shellfish 21. Smile 24. Wrap 25. A citizen of Iran 26. Island off the coast of Tanzania 27. Knifes 31. Beloved ‘Doctor’ 32. Type of turtle 34. Leg (French) 35. Indicates position 36. Self-doubt 40. Of I 41. Retired but allowed to retain title 45. Algerian port 47. African country 48. ‘Wayward Son’ rockers 52. Bring out of sleep 53. Auburn legend Newton 54. Heavy wooden shield in ancient Greece 56. Choose to represent 57. Peace 59. Work hard 60. Reciprocal of a sine 61. Express delight 62. Explosive 63. Journalist Tarbell
Recipe of the Week
Salmon, Asparagus, and Orzo Salad With Lemon-Dill Vinaigrette Serves 6
Ingredients:
6 Cups of water 1 lb asparagus cut into 3-in pieces 1 Cup uncooked orzo 1 (1 1/4-lb) Salmon Fillet Kosher salt & black pepper 1/4 Cup Thin Sliced Red Onion
Lemon-Dill Vinaigrette:
1/3 Cup Feta Cheese 1 tbsp chopped dill 3 tbsp lemon juice 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 tsp salt Photo Courtesy/Metro Comics 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Preheat the broiler. Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add asparagus, cook 3 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Remove asparagus from water with tongs or a slotted spoon, reserving water in a pan. Plunge asparagus into ice water, drain the ice water and set asparagus aside. Return reserved water to a boil. Add orzo, and cook according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. While orzo cooks, sprinkle fillet evenly with salt and pepper. Place fish on a foil-lined broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Broil 5 minutes, or until desired degree of doneness. Using 2 forks, break fish into large chunks. Combine fish, orzo, asparagus, onion, and Lemon-Dill Vinaigrette in a large bowl; toss gently to coat.
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SUDOKU
66. Indo-European languages 67. Fiddler crabs 68. Large bank 69. Not fresh 70. Scientist’s device (abbr.)