Aerobie

An Aerobie is a flying ring used in a manner similar to a flying disc (Frisbee), for recreational catches between two or more individuals. The Aerobie is a ring, rather than a disc. An Aerobie is also lighter, and is more stable in flight. [Schuurmans, Mace [http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg12717274.800 "Flight of the Frisbee"] , "New Scientist", accessed June 26, 2008] It features tuning for straighter flight by bending the ring. [ [http://www.aerobie.com/Products/Details/ProSprintFAQs.htm#tuning "Aerobie Pro and Sprint ring FAQs," #2] , accessed June 26, 2008] Since it has very low drag and good stability, it can be thrown much farther than a flying disc can. The ring is only about 1/8 of an inch (3 mm) thick. [http://www.aerobie.com/Science.htm#one "The Science of Aerobie Sport Toys", #1] , accessed June 26, 2008]

Designed in 1984 by Stanford engineering lecturer Alan Adler, the Aerobie has a polycarbonate core with soft rubber bumpers molded onto the inner and outer rims. The outer rim has a spoiler designed to impart stability. [ [http://www.aerobie.com/ProductInfo/WebImages/Details/RingsDiagForWeb300.jpgaerobie.com image] , accessed June 26, 2008]

Characteristics

The Aerobie allows for throws over unusually long distances. It flies faster and farther than a common flying disc does. When well tuned, it can fly basically in a straight line, "like a puck on an invisible sheet of ice." [cite book |title= The Aerobie Book: An investigation into the Ultimate flying mini-machine|last= Cassidy|first= John|year= 1989|publisher= Klutz Press|isbn= 0-932592-30-9|pages= p. v] It does not have the tendency to roll when thrown level, as a flying disc does. [http://www.aerobie.com/Products/Details/ProSprintFAQs.htm#throw "Aerobie Pro and Sprint ring FAQs," #1] , accessed June 26, 2008] But similarly to a disc, an Aerobie can be thrown in a curved path by throwing it in a slant. Its lift depends on its speed relative to the air. Therefore, throwing into the wind makes it fly higher. Throwing with the wind makes it fly lower.

Advantages

The Aerobie's ring shape allows it to be caught in a variety of different ways. For example, it can be caught by thrusting a forearm,cite book |title= The Aerobie Book: An investigation into the Ultimate flying mini-machine|last= Cassidy|first= John|year= 1989|publisher= Klutz Press|isbn= 0-932592-30-9|pages= p. 12-13] the head (when the ring is thrown high), [ [http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ko&u=http://www.flyingdisc.co.kr/index.phtml%3Fmenu%3Daerobie%26content%3D/aerobie/aerobie_catch.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=3&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DAerobie%2B%2522head%2Bcatch%2522%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:* Translated Korean Aerobie site] , accessed June 27, 2008] or even a foot through the middle. Games such as "Aerosticks" [ [http://laughingflea.com/aerosticks/index.htm "Aerosticks: The Art of Catching Aerobies with Sticks"] , accessed June 26, 2008] and Aerogoal [cite book |title= The Aerobie Book: An investigation into the Ultimate flying mini-machine|last= Cassidy|first= John|year= 1989|publisher= Klutz Press|isbn= 0-932592-30-9|pages= p. 21] are designed specifically for the Aerobie.

Disadvantages, special care

An Aerobie ring does not float. [ [http://www.aerobie.com/Products/Details/ProSprintFAQs.htm#float "Aerobie Pro and Sprint ring FAQs," #3] , accessed June 26, 2008] The ring can be damaged if abused.cite book |title= The Aerobie Book: An investigation into the Ultimate flying mini-machine|last= Cassidy|first= John|year= 1989|publisher= Klutz Press|isbn= 0-932592-30-9|pages= p. 8-9] A thrower must take care not to throw too hard when throwing to a partner. [cite book |title= The Aerobie Book: An investigation into the Ultimate flying mini-machine|last= Cassidy|first= John|year= 1989|publisher= Klutz Press|isbn= 0-932592-30-9|pages= p. 2-3 ] However, it will slow down if thrown at a high angle. [cite book |title= The Aerobie Book: An investigation into the Ultimate flying mini-machine|last= Cassidy|first= John|year= 1989|publisher= Klutz Press|isbn= 0-932592-30-9|pages= p. 16-17 ] It can be easier to lose than a flying disc, especially over long distances. In particular, it gets caught on tree branches more easily. Something like a ball can be used to throw at it in order dislodge it, if this should happen.

The Aerobie is best thrown in a wide open area such as a football or soccer field, away from bodies of water. There should also be adequate light. This also prevents running into objects while chasing it.

History

In the 1970s, Alan Adler began attempting to improve the flying disc, considering its design characteristics. He tried streamlining the shape to reduce drag, but this resulted in a disc that was more unstable in flight. Eventually, he turned his attention to the ring shape. This led to the development of the predecessor of the Aerobie, which was called the "Skyro." [cite book |title= The Aerobie Book: An investigation into the Ultimate flying mini-machine|last= Cassidy|first= John|year= 1989|publisher= Klutz Press|isbn= 0-932592-30-9|pages= p. 28-31, 44] About a million of this model were sold. In 1980, it was used to set a Guiness World Record throw of 857 feet. It lacked the spoiler rim of the Aerobie. It had low drag, but was only stable at a certain speed. The later introduction of the spoiler, which balanced the lift, made the ring stable "over a wide range of speeds." [Adler, Alan [http://www.aerobie.com./Products/Details/RingScientificPaper.htm "The Evolution & Aerodynamics of the Aerobie Flying Ring"] , accessed June 26, 2008] After testing several models, the ideal shape was found, and the Aerobie was produced. Adler founded Superflight, Inc. in 1984 (now known as Aerobie, Inc.) Since then, Adler and the company have produced 12 other sport toy products. [ [http://www.aerobie.com./History.htm "The History of the Aerobie Brand"] , accessed June 26, 2008]

World Records

The 13 inch Aerobie Pro was used to achieve the current Guinness World Record for the "longest throw of an object without any velocity-aiding feature". [ [http://www.aerobie.com/Products/Details/ProSprintFAQs.htm#newrecord "Aerobie Pro and Sprint ring FAQs," #8] , accessed June 26, 2008] The Aerobie's record was originally set in 1986 by Scott Zimmerman (1,257 feet) and then broken in 2003 in San Francisco by Erin Hemmings. The 2003 record throw traveled 1,333 feet (406.3 metres) and the Aerobie was airborne for 30 seconds. [ [http://www.aerobie.com/QuarterMileThrow.htm New World Record] , accessed June 26, 2008]

Other Aerobie Products

[ [http://www.aerobie.com/Products.htm Aerobie Sport Toy Products] , accessed June 26, 2008]
*Aerobie Orbiter: a triangular boomerang
*Disc golf discs
*Aerobie Sprint ring and Aerobie Superdisk (smaller models)
*Superdisk Ultra (larger model)
*Skylighter (lighted Superdisk Ultra)
*Dogobie disc; designed for dogs to catch
*Aerobie and Rocket footballs, with fins
*AeroSpin Yo-yo
*Squidgie Disc and Squidgie Ball: flexible toys that float

See also

* Flying disc
* Chakram (thrown weapon)
* Disc Golf

References

External links

* [http://www.aerobie.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg12717274.800 "Flight of the Frisbee"] , New Scientist
* [http://www.aerobie.com/a1.php Paper] authored by the inventor Alan Adler, explaining the design considerations.
*US patent|4560358 by Alan Adler, filed May 10, 1984, issued December 24, 1985.
* [http://laughingflea.com/aerosticks/index.htm Aerosticks Game]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eVCoKob-PA Youtube Video] Video of Aerobie products in action, including throwing one of the rings out of the Aloha Stadium in Hawaii, and the demonstration of the Aerobie Orbiter