[neilep (OP)]

Imagine if ewe will Ostriches soaring high and gracefully in the sky !..LOL !!....ewe would not want to be crapped on one from a great height would ya ?

So, assuming said Ostriches could fly and soar like an Albatross......how wide would the wingspan be ?

What about Hummingbird Ostriches ? ?..LOL !..I expect they would have to flap pretty darn fast !!

whajafink ?

[another_someone]

I suspect that it is too heavy to have enough muscle power to achieve powered flight, but with a sufficient wing span, I imagine it could glide (if it threw itself off a cliff).

[dentstudent]

Assuming that the muscular build of the ostrich did not have to change in order to fly, therefore weight remains constant, the weight of an ostrich is 150kg, and under the caveat that the dataset might not be the best in the world:

I did a small model with a stats program and using a simple linear regression analysis, it would appear that the ratio of wingspan (cm) to weight (g) is 108.14 + 0.011*weight (This gives an R value of 0.72, which considering, isn't too bad!). Extrapolating this regression gives the wingspan required of an ostrich to be 108.14 + (0.011*150000) = 1758.14 cm or 17.5 metres or nearly 60ft.

KFO anyone?

[neilep (OP)]

I suspect that it is too heavy to have enough muscle power to achieve powered flight, but with a sufficient wing span, I imagine it could glide (if it threw itself off a cliff).

THANK YOU George.

LOL.....why does your comment make me think of suicidal Ostriches ?...

[neilep (OP)]

Assuming that the muscular build of the ostrich did not have to change in order to fly, therefore weight remains constant, the weight of an ostrich is 150kg, and under the caveat that the dataset might not be the best in the world:

I did a small model with a stats program and using a simple linear regression analysis, it would appear that the ratio of wingspan (cm) to weight (g) is 108.14 + 0.011*weight (This gives an R value of 0.72, which considering, isn't too bad!). Extrapolating this regression gives the wingspan required of an ostrich to be 108.14 + (0.011*150000) = 1758.14 cm or 17.5 metres or nearly 60ft.

KFO anyone?

WOW !!...that is a big wingspan which, although expected to be wide, and I understand an educated guestimate based on your calculations, I am most greatful for your kind attempt to actually figure it out..THANK YOU very much indeed.

Yes please.....I'll have a fillet burger !


I have eaten Ostrich......It's a red meat....a bit gamey....good for ewe...low in fat...... I couldn't enjoy it though.........cos..it's....well...Ostrich !!  []

[dentstudent]

Yes, there's a big trend towards ostrich farming. But how the **** do you plant them?

[neilep (OP)]

Yes, there's a big trend towards ostrich farming. But how the **** do you plant them?

LOL...!..aren;t they self planting ?

[dentstudent]

Did anyone else see that helicopter?

[neilep (OP)]

Yes !..yes!!..I saw it !!.. it went that way !!

[another_someone]

Assuming that the muscular build of the ostrich did not have to change in order to fly, therefore weight remains constant, the weight of an ostrich is 150kg, and under the caveat that the dataset might not be the best in the world:

I did a small model with a stats program and using a simple linear regression analysis, it would appear that the ratio of wingspan (cm) to weight (g) is 108.14 + 0.011*weight (This gives an R value of 0.72, which considering, isn't too bad!). Extrapolating this regression gives the wingspan required of an ostrich to be 108.14 + (0.011*150000) = 1758.14 cm or 17.5 metres or nearly 60ft.

KFO anyone?

Even without the issue of increased muscle mass, you have to remember to take into account the weight of the now extended wings themselves.

[neilep (OP)]

Wasn't your average pterodactyl just a big flying ostrich ?

[dentstudent]

Assuming that the muscular build of the ostrich did not have to change in order to fly, therefore weight remains constant, the weight of an ostrich is 150kg, and under the caveat that the dataset might not be the best in the world:

I did a small model with a stats program and using a simple linear regression analysis, it would appear that the ratio of wingspan (cm) to weight (g) is 108.14 + 0.011*weight (This gives an R value of 0.72, which considering, isn't too bad!). Extrapolating this regression gives the wingspan required of an ostrich to be 108.14 + (0.011*150000) = 1758.14 cm or 17.5 metres or nearly 60ft.

KFO anyone?

Even without the issue of increased muscle mass, you have to remember to take into account the weight of the now extended wings themselves.

I think that there are a number of other elements that cause an enormous amount of error in the model. The actual wings are as light as possible and don't make up much of the mass of the bird, tyically 5-10%. I think the model errors make this 5-10% error redundant. But call it 20 m if you want! They're still damn big!

[dentstudent]

Wasn't your average pterodactyl just a big flying ostrich ?

IIRC the pterosaurs ranged from a couple of feet up to 35 to 45 feet. I've no idea as to their weight though. And they weren't feathered either, so more like big scary scoobydoo bats.

[neilep (OP)]

Is it reasonable to assume that pterodactyls hanged upside down ?

[paul.fr]

Is it reasonable to assume that pterodactyls hanged upside down ?

They must have been pterrifying to see.

[neilep (OP)]

Is it reasonable to assume that pterodactyls hanged upside down ?

They must have been pterrifying to see.

LOL !!

I bet a dead upside down pterodactyl was the inspiration behind the invention of an umbrella !!