Paulipod 0 #1 November 6, 2004 Been thinking... always a bad sign!! Why do we call them wind Tunnels?! Tunnels are only underground passages etc.. (as defined by the dictionary) Surely we should call them Wind Funnels?! well they are fun too... so maybe a rename is in order Bodyflight Bedford www.bodyflight.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #2 November 6, 2004 http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=wind%20tunnel Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paulipod 0 #3 November 6, 2004 lol.. I am not denying that the way they are referred to now is a recognised label.... but when the first person called one a 'tunnel' they were a bit off the mark Bodyflight Bedford www.bodyflight.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raistlin 0 #4 November 6, 2004 When you are belly-flying in one, you are facing the relative wind, and so are, relatively to you, in a tunnel. As opposed to a tube when you observe from outisde. :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paulipod 0 #5 November 6, 2004 Definition of Tunnel.... An underground or underwater passage. A passage through or under a barrier. Obsolete. The main flue on a chimney. Surely doesnt matter which way you face... done of these apply Bodyflight Bedford www.bodyflight.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustaBill 0 #6 November 6, 2004 QuoteDefinition of Tunnel.... A passage through or under a barrier. What about passing through the barrier of learning how to fly your body granted it's a bigger barrier to some of us then it is to others ------------------------------------------------ I've done so much, with so little, for so long I'm now expected to do everything with nothing forever Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #7 November 6, 2004 I think this definition explains it all: wind tunnel n : a structure resembling a tunnel where air is blown at known velocities for testing parts of aircraft Course dictionary definitions don't matter all that much. Wind tunnels are used for testing all kinds of things... buildings, boat keels, cars, etc. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveb 1 #8 November 6, 2004 QuoteDefinition of Tunnel.... An underground or underwater passage. A passage through or under a barrier. Obsolete. The main flue on a chimney. You can likely find a dictionary to support whichever definition most agrees with your proposition. I used m-w.com to garner: Quote Etymology: Middle English tonel tube-shaped net, from Middle French, tun, from Old French, from tonne tun, from Medieval Latin tunna 1 : a hollow conduit or recess : TUBE, WELLBut my resource has an etymology that further supports wind tunnel as a correct use. QED. ;-) -- Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,078 #9 November 7, 2004 Wind tunnels started out as windy horizontal passages used to test airfoils. For skydiving they rotated one 90 degrees. The name stuck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #10 November 8, 2004 QuoteSurely doesnt matter which way you face... done of these apply QuoteThe main flue on a chimney A vertical tube that moves smoke and air up....Fits just fine."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paulipod 0 #11 November 8, 2004 lol.. talk about selective quoting what happened to the dictionary entry of 'obsolete' Bodyflight Bedford www.bodyflight.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrJones 0 #12 November 8, 2004 If HOOVER can make and market a vertical vacume named "The wind tunnel" its good enough for us. LOL NUR ZUM SPASS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumperconway 0 #13 November 8, 2004 Hence the term vertical wind tunnels Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rendezvous 0 #14 November 8, 2004 wind chimney perhaps ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #15 November 9, 2004 Quotewind chimney perhaps ... Simulated Freefall Tube Vertical Virtual flying thingy WHO REALLY CARES, It's expensive and I'm going to spend some money in the Florida oneYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #16 November 9, 2004 Most wind tunnels suck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #17 November 9, 2004 QuoteMost wind tunnels suck. True True but some just BLOWYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bodyflight.Net 0 #18 November 10, 2004 actually less than 10% of currently operational tunnels really suck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrogNog 1 #19 November 10, 2004 Then PPTP should probably be renamed, as well. There's lots of stuff that isn't named correctly according to historical denotations. Let me just use my small, omnivorous mammal to submit this post, now. -=-=-=-=- Pull. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #20 November 10, 2004 Quoteactually less than 10% of currently operational tunnels really suck If you want to bring open air flight simulators into the mix of a semantics thread on wind 'tunnels' then enjoy yourself. I think any thread based on semantics should immediately be moved to speakers corner. They really are the masters at it. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bodyflight.Net 0 #21 November 10, 2004 QuoteIf you want to bring open air flight simulators into the mix of a semantics thread on wind 'tunnels' then enjoy yourself. What are you talking about..? I am talking about vwt's! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #22 November 10, 2004 Paul, You need to get out more.My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #23 November 10, 2004 QuoteQuoteIf you want to bring open air flight simulators into the mix of a semantics thread on wind 'tunnels' then enjoy yourself. What are you talking about..? I am talking about vwt's! Actually I was just talking about chocolate, but in this point I was only differentiating between indoor and outdoor (that's where I thought you were going). The outdoor vwt's are even harder to tag with the label 'tunnel'. Of course I'll always bow to you expertise in this issue. Or, you really do mean all the different enclosed tunnels are blowers?..... ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paulipod 0 #24 November 10, 2004 Quote Paul, You need to get out more. That was NEVER in question! Bodyflight Bedford www.bodyflight.co.uk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bodyflight.Net 0 #25 November 10, 2004 Rehmwa, I love chocolate, we can talk about that all day long! I think there could be a better name, in fact we MOSTLY describe them ourselves as body flying facilities. But really, the prop jobbie portables, even they provide a column/tunnel of air. As I'm sure has been pointed out already: A tunnel can be defined as, A structure, installation, or facility incorporating apparatus to simulate flight conditions in one way or another, specially designed for testing or experimenting with power plants, or with aircraft, rockets, or other aerodynamically designed bodies, engine installations, or models; specifically, a wind tunnel. More specifically however, I was talking about VWTs that SUCK. Which of course there are very few since the design itself causes instability in the air flow & test section. No need to bow down.. you can throw money instead. Current Stats: Operation VWTs World Wide: 8% Suckers 92% Blowers VWTs Currently Under Construction: 75% Suckers 25% Blowers That will still only takes the sucker category to 26% of total facilities World Wide. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
