How would you like to be a skier going down a
snow covered jump, at speeds of 60+ miles per hour only to force your
body out off of what appears to be a cliff? Then only to find out
that you are going to fly some 300+ feet until you reach the
ground. It would get the heart going for any human being, and as
Newton's Apple states, "To a novice, the steps in a ski jump look
deceptively simple. In reality, each involves a complex balance
of forces where only slight changes in equiptment or body position can
mean the difference between gold medal and disaster."
Steps for optimal flight according to Newton's
Apple:
1. Use the steep
ramp to build up as much speed (gravitational potential energy) as you
can.
2. Minimize air
resistance by tucking your body and arms while sitting on the back of
your skiis.
3. Halfway down,
start resuming a crouched position.
4. Towards the end,
press chest on knees. (Used to create an additional spring like source
of energy.)
5. At the end,
project the body forward and upward at the same time.
6. Keep arms
perpendicular with the ground.
7. Use your body and
skiis as a giant airfoil.
8. Lean forward to
"Produce a positive angle of attack on the wind."
9. Keep skiis
parallel with body to reduce air resistance and drag. (For more lift,
for a V shape with the skiis to increase surface area.)
10. Hope you land without
crashing, because at 60+ mph it might be deadly.
