Sailing into the Stratosphere

Sailing into the Stratosphere Sailing into the Stratosphere Sailing into the Stratosphere90,000 feet in the air is just below the threshold for suborbital travel, nowhere near the normal altitude of the average airtuch. Yet, according to Ed Warnock, CEO of the Perlan Project, his goal is to change that, utilizing a sailplane to reach such soaring heights. Why? The answer, according their website, is to explore the science of giant mountain waves that help create the ozone hole and change global climate models. This will require the engineering of a spacecraft with glider wings that can fly in less than 3% of normal air density and at temperatures of minus 70 degrees C, conditions approximating the surface of Mars.We want to expand wind-borne flight to where we havent had orbital flight possible before, Warnock says. It approximates conditions on the planet Mars, so its even testing winged aircraft to see what its limitations would be there.Climbing the MountainBack on Earth, when soa ring in mountain waves, if a plane has too much drag, the lift in the wave is not sufficient to keep you rising, explains Warnock, who received his bachelorsdegree in aerospace engineering from the University of Arizona. We need to have a very efficient airplane for this as far as drag goes, so the little bit of updraft will carry the airplane, he explains. The air speed indicator in the cockpit is generated by air being rammed down a tube. We will fly between 45 and 100 knots indicated air speed, but as air gets thinnerit takes more air ramming down this tube to make the air speed indicator react. It takes more air passing over the wings to generate the lift we need, so we will be actually going faster than our indicated air speed. At the highest attitudes, it will be flying 400 miles per hour, true air speed.The Airbus Perlan 2 weighs about 1,900 pounds flight-ready, with two pilots onboard. The plane is 84 feet wide in the wingspan, 33.3 feet long, and the body is made almost ent irely of carbon fiber.gruppe Perlan doing a presentation on Airbus Perlan Mission II at Aeroclub Mendoza, Argentina. Image The Perlan ProjectThe wings are designed for very thin air and relatively high speed through the air, he says. The wing shape is probably pretty close to what you would see on a model airplane. Its reasonably thick compared to its length.Warnock says one person he talked to may have summed it up best. They said, If aviation were a language, a sailplane would be language as poetry. The sailplane is quiet, a sense of being one with the atmosphere as you fly it. Its like the difference between sailing and motor-boating.The second goal for the Perlan Project is to study the impact of these mountain waves, which are the largest waves on the planet, partly to understand how theyhave an impact on weather, he says.We know these waves are the primary cause of the ozone hole, and we also know that they can get steep sometimes, that they turn into tumbling, breaking waves, Warnock says. Some of the more significant turbulence on the planet are these mountain waves breaking and causing the stratosphere to mix and it mixes energy and particles vertically and has a downstream effect on weather.Part of the intense testing regimen is flutter analysis, in which researchers locate the harmonic points where there would be fluttering or shaking that can cause an aircraft to break up in flight, he says.We test to see if harmonic shaking is going on and we do that by vibrating the aircraft at specific frequencies using accelerometers to note if the plane has the frequency linger, for example, Warnock says. We run flutter allowances and send it to the company ATA, an aerospace company specializing in flutter analysis. They tell us if we have flutter modes that could be dangerous. If not, we keep going higher and higher and test every five thousand feet.A final goal is to encourage young people throughout the project, giving some students a chance to be involved in the experience in a very different way. Part of the stated mission of the Perlan Project reads These missions will provide education and inspiration for young people seeking careers of exploration and adventure in engineering and science.We allow students to give us experiments of theirs to see the effect of flight, Warnock says. Were just like them. Were in awe of what flight can be. We want to share the enthusiasm.Eric Butterman is an independent writer. For Further DiscussionWere just like them student engineers. Were in awe of what flight can be. We want to share the enthusiasm. Ed Warnock, CEO, The Perlan Project

Google diversity manifesto Can I be fired for my political beliefs

Google diversity manifesto Can I be fired for my political beliefsGoogle diversity manifesto Can I be fired for my political beliefsOn Monday, Google fired an employee for writing a controversial internal memo about the value of diversity initiatives at the company. James Damore, who confirmed to multiple outlets that he was the male software engineer behind the diversity memo, told Bloomberg News that he had been fired for perpetuating gender stereotypes.Damore told the New York Times that he believed the firing was illegal and that he would likely be pursuing legal action. Damore said that he had already filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board on the fundament that Google was misrepresenting and shaming me in order to silence my complaints.Can you be fired for your political beliefs? SometimesLadders talked with legal expert Jasmine McNealy, a University of Florida professor, about Damores case.To prove his case to the NLRB, Damore will need to prove that he was e ngaging in the kind of political speech that is federally protected, McNealy said. Under the National Labor Relations Act, youre allowed to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection, which can include charged political speech.Even if its a private workspace, if you are talking about political issues as it relates to your employment or the employment environment, political speech is protected, McNealy said.What may bolster Damores case is that the U.S. Department of Labor is currently investigating Google for what it says is an extreme gender pay gap.He could point and be like, hey, I feel like they Google are retaliating against me because I made this statement related to some area that theyre under investigation for, McNealy said.Under the National Labor Relations Act, such retaliatory conduct by management would be illegal.Was it political speech?But first, McNealy said Damore would need to clear a bigger hurdle and prove that he was actually engaging in protected political speech.Political subject matter would be the discussion of whether or not Google should continue its diversity and inclusion programs, McNealy said.But that wasnt all Damore said.When he goes into women are this way or women are predisposed to such and such and thats not based in science, then theres perhaps problems, McNealy said. Statements like women are prone to neuroses are not backed up by scientific evidence.Titled Googles Ideological Echo Chamber, the memo alleged that women are underrepresented in technology because men and women biologically differ in many ways.Damore said women are less suited to technology jobs because they are more anxious and have lower stress tolerances than men. Meanwhile, he said that men are well-suited to leadership because they are born with a higher drive for status.Read more The key mistake at the base of the Google anti-diversity manifestoEx-Googler and current Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg indirectly addressed the memo by disputing the biological differences Damore cited in his memo.(function(d, s, id) var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)0 if (d.getElementById(id)) return js = d.createElement(s) js.id = id js.src = https//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.jsxfbml=1version=v3.1 fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs)(document, script, facebook-jssdk))Inequality in tech isnt due to gender differences. Its due to cultural stereotypes that persist. We all need to do more.Posted by Sheryl Sandberg onMonday, August 7, 2017McNealy said the case would hinge on these broad generalizations and whether the court will look at the document as a whole or specific instances within the document that could be considered problematic.If the NLRB sides with Damore in his complaint, he may be financially compensated, McNealy said. Google may even have to take Damore back.A court could rule for things like damages, or reputational or emotional injuries, but also reinstatement, she said. Thats a possibility.Google Engineer violated Code of ConductAlthough Google did not specifically comment on the firing, Google CEO Sundar Pichai addressed the controversy directly in a memo to employees. Pichai said that portions of the memo violate our Code of Conduct and cross the line by advancing harmful gender stereotypes in our workplace.Pichai noted that Damores memo violated the section of the Code of Conduct that directs each Googler to do their utmost to create a workplace culture that is free of harassment, intimidation, bias and unlawful discrimination.When youre an at-will employee in the U.S., you can be fired for almost any reason at all with or without notice, as long as the discharge does not violate a law, according to U.S. labor laws.Furthermore, creating a hostile workplace environment - which Google could argue Damore did for female and minority employees - isnt protected by your employer or the government.I would presume that their major argument w ould be that they have a duty to their employees internationally to tischset a standard and to make sure that the work environment for all of its employees is one that is not hostile, McNealy said. But importantly that it reflects the wish not to violate the law with respect to creating hostile work environments.And many Googlers believe that Damores words were hostile actions. Former Google executive Yonatan Zunger said the memo was grounds for firing because Damore had created a textbook hostile workplace environment where he would not be able to collaborate with anyone.Anyone can have any perspective they want, McNealy said. Its just whether or not those perspectives are going to create a workplace thats not conducive for their colleagues to continue to work and feel safe.Theres always another companyBut even if Google doesnt want Damore, some other employers still might. WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange tweeted that his company would offer Damore a job because censorship is fo r losers.1/ Censorship is for losers. WikiLeaks is offering a job to fired Google engineer James Damore. https//t.co/tmrflE72p3- FreeAssange (tweets by campaign)? (JulianAssange) August 8, 2017

Emerging leader spotlight Bank of Americas Lisa Bogart

Emerging leader spotlight Bank of Americas Lisa BogartEmerging leader spotlight Bank of Americas Lisa BogartEvery month we ask an emerging leader we admire to share what theyre doing to take the lead in their career. We invite them to share how they achieved their current position, what obstacles theyve encountered on their climb, as well as tips for how to be a rising leader of influence.This month we shine the Emerging Leader Spotlight on Lisa Bogart, Business Solutions Technology Manager with Bank of America.Favorite leadership prozentanteilMy son introduced me to this quote when he was a thirteen-year-old hockey player. Ive thought of this quote countless times when stepping out of my own comfort zone.You miss 100% of the shots you never take. - Wayne GretzkyWhy did you choose your current career path?My path has taken many turns throughout my career. My current role was never planned. I have accepted several different roles through the years and Im thrilled I was given the oppor tunity within technology. I deliver technical solutions to solve business needs which improve the experience for our customers and clients. Its a great time to be a woman in technology. Im able to use my professional experience in my community, encouraging girls to explore STEM fields through my work with Girls Scouts and the Western New York STEM Council.What is the most important thing you have learned that has been critical to your career success?Focus on your responsibilities and do your best. Embrace change and stay positive. Ive been very fortunate my performance has been recognized by leadership over the years, leading me to new roles.What key steps did you take to get to the role you are in today?As I mentioned before, Ive had great leaders who had confidence in my ability. They provided opportunities to take roles I wouldnt have known about or planned myself.What is your leadership style?I believe results come from the team and each person has unique strengths and contribut ions. If you care about their success, both personally and professionally, it makes a difference. The strong diversity inclusion culture at Bank of America helps our success as leaders, because when an individual feels their work and their voice matter, they do great things.What are some top tips you can recommend to other women who want to be recognized as high-potential emerging leaders?Get involved in company networks or groups external to your role. This adds another layer of responsibility, causing you to stretch yourself while youre expanding your network of peers and leaders. Bank of Americas L.E.A.D. for Women network has opened up many opportunities for me internally as well as within my community.Have you recently experienced a career or leadership challenge that you overcame? How did you overcome that challenge?We often face challenges with deadlines, resource constraints and many other impacts that are out of our control, as well as situations that we couldve handled di fferently. Id refer to one of your webinar sessions, The F Word Failure. It provided great advice on using a set back as a tremendous learning and growth opportunity. Its so important to stay positive and understand it is part of your development journey.What professional accomplishment or result have you achieved in the past year that you are proud of?Im fortunate that my role in technology allows me to see tangible results that positively impact our customers and clients throughout the year. Ive been selected to lead our area through a significant strategy change which will occur over the next year. Its exciting and challenging to progress through each milestone.Connect with Lisa onTwitterandLinkedIn.This article first appeared on Be Leaderly.