THE AVION NEWSPAPER
2020 IN REVIEW
What’s INSIDE? ROLEX 24 AT DAYTONA Check out the 58th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway, as Former Editor-in-Chief Vipul Telang covers new broken records and highlights Wayne Taylor’s incredible win.
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THUNDERBIRDS: THEN AND NOW Staff Reporters Korbin Martin, Chaz Pokracki and Gianna Castano have the phenomenal opportunity to interview Thunderbird Pilots, #3, Captain Michael Brewer and #5, Major Michelle Curan, in Spring 2020 and Fall 2020, respectively.
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DOUBLE STANDARDS Do COVID-19 regulations apply to upper-administration? News Editor Oliver Du Bois and Staff Reporter Mike Shekari investigate a banquet which broke Embry-Riddle COVID-19 protocols.
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REMEMBERING A KING In light of the tragic and untimely passing of Chadwick Boseman, Avion Advisor Ronnie Mack writes about the fallen hero, and explains what this loss means to the Black community.
DONORS KICKSTART SAILING PROGRAM
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Following the generous donation of an Evelyn 32-2 Sailboat from Mike and Valerie Taylor to the Embry-Riddle Sailing Club, Public Relations Manager John Rachek showcases gratitude towards the donors and explains how this will impact sailing at Embry-Riddle.
PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHT
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Avion photographers are proud to showcase a selection of their favorite photos. In doing so, our photographers are telling a story while sharing different experiences they captured throughout the calendar year that may not have been published in the newspaper.
ABOUT THIS ISSUE The Avion Newspaper created this magazine to showcase the biggest events of the calendar year, from January to now, while also highlighting some of the best work done by our staff. Reporter coverage on key events of the year are included, which directly or indirectly impacted Embry-Riddle students. These articles have run either in past Avion issues or as online-features, and have been selected for this magazine to show the best of this past year. Photo spreads have been created to showcase the best of our photographers. These contain photos that tell a story without necessarily needing an article alongside them. Each photo is a favorite of our photographers, and gives a proper stage for them to showcase their passion and artistry with a camera.
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Records Broken at 2020 Rolex 24 AT Daytona
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he 2020 International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) racing series kicked off a new season at Daytona International Speedway this past weekend with the 58th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The race, which was held from Jan. 25 to Jan. 26, lasted 24 hours and is the longest endurance race in all of Florida. Unlike other races, the winning team must travel the farthest distance in the time allocated rather than complete a set number of laps. Four classes competed this year: Daytona Prototype International (DPi), Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2), GT Daytona (GTD), and GT Le Mans (GTLM). The prestige of the race attracts drivers from many different disciplines of motorsports. Even within the same team, it’s not uncommon for the drivers to range from open-wheel experience all the way to rally cars. This year, NASCAR driver and defending MENCS champion, Kyle Busch, joined the ranks of drivers driving their first Rolex 24 at Daytona. Other notable drivers from INDYCAR, Formula One, and NASCAR include Juan Pablo Montoya, Simon Pagenaud, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Sebastien Bourdais, Kamui Kobayashi, and Alexander Rossi. The allure of winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona is exceptionally high, as many consider the race to be one of the “big three” races in endurance racing that make up the triple crown. The 12 hours of Sebring in Florida and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France are the other two crown jewels on the calendar. Only twelve drivers have ever completed the endurance triple crown, with Timo Bernhard most recently joining the list in 2017. Regardless, winning the 24 Hours of Daytona is an incredible feat. The winners of all classes receive a steel Rolex Daytona watch as part of the title sponsor and naming rights agreement.
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While last year’s race was cut short by heavy downpours of rain, this year’s weather was very cooperative, offering clear skies and very little wind. Despite temperatures dipping just under 50 degrees, the weather was pleasant and not nearly as cold as previous years. The better weather meant that the drivers could stay out of trouble. This led to a record-stint of nearly seven hours without a full-course caution, which was the longest green flag stint ever in the history of the event. The race had so few cautions that the race distance record was smashed by the time the checkered flag flew at 1:40 p.m. on Sunday. The #10 Wayne Taylor Racing Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R completed 833 laps, breaking the previous record in 2018 by the #5 Action Express Racing Cadillac DPiV.R with only 808 laps.
Unlike the Daytona 500, which is only run on the tri-oval course, the Rolex 24 at Daytona is run using the inner road course as well as the banking. The track layout also includes a chicane at the end of the backstretch, forcing drivers to slow down before going through NASCAR turns three and four towards the start/finish line. This chicane has caught drivers out before, and this year was no exception. Early in the afternoon, the #55 Mazda DPi and the #7 Acura DPi made contact while braking into the chicane, sending the Acura hard into the inside tire barrier. The subsequent repairs to the Acura to replace the rear of the car caused the team to drop to the bottom of the DPi class standings. There were a total of six full-course yellow flags that necessitated the need for a safety car and subsequent restart. The new decade brought both exciting and bittersweet news to the racing community during the winter offseason. Chevrolet announced the successor to their immensely successful C7.R Corvette, which won the 2015 and 2016 Rolex 24 at Daytona and then went on to win the endurance triple crown in 2015. Unlike the C7.R, the C8.R features a complete redesign, moving the engine from the front to the middle of the car. The C8.R also shares
a lot more technology with the production model, as the C8 and C8.R were developed in tandem to allow parts to be interchangeable for both cars. The engine is now a 5.5 liter naturally-aspirated V8 that produces 500hp and 480 ft.-lb. of torque, increased from the C7.R that only produced 491 hp. While Chevrolet celebrated the release of the C8.R, it was somber news for Chip Ganassi Racing, after they announced that the 2019 Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in October would be their last race in the series for the near future. Chip Ganassi Racing ran the #66 and #67 Ford GT from 2016-2019, winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2017 and 2018. 2020 is the first year since 2004 that Chip Ganassi Racing will not have a team in the Rolex 24. As it stands, the team is continuing to work towards a 2022 re-entry into the series when the series’ regulations will change for the Daytona Prototype 2.0 cars. Only time will tell to see if fans will see the return of the team, which is still seeking manufacturer support for the IMSA series. Regardless, the upcoming car updates will be sure to cause a stir at the 2022 Roar before the Rolex 24, as well as the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Article by Vipul Telang
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COACH KNABE COURT HOSTS ITS FIRST GAME I
n a special alumni-themed weekend, the Embry-Riddle Men and Women’s tennis teams came together to celebrate the renaming of their third court on the campus tennis complex. Court three was given the honor of representing former coach Rudy Knabe, the first head coach for the Eagles. Alumni from across the country flew in to commemorate a surprise dedication to one of the team’s beloved coaches. The ceremony consisted of heartfelt memoirs given by his former players and a word from his son. Player after player had nothing but positive words to say about the man they felt shaped the majority of their college experience. Not only was he known for an impressive winning record, but he also championed the idea of “Student, Person, Player.” This phrase was significant to him as a way to keep his athletes on track in their academic and personal lives. It solidified his commitment to coaching for “all the right reasons.” His dedication left a lasting mark on the players who gave testimony to his successes by pooling their efforts together to make this weekend possible. The campaign for renaming also included a scholarship that will be available to students in his name. PAGE 6
Current athletes were given a chance to interact with former players in a series of light-hearted scrimmages. Building relationships with former Eagles is an excellent way for current students to make connections that may help them in the industry. The players that are connected through a shared love for the sport can find guidance from those who came before them. After unveiling the new court, the alumni took to the courts once again to test their memory and affinity for the sport. Many of them felt the aches and losses of years gone by, but enjoyed teaming up to take on the students. Several alums brought along children and family members, taking their former coaches by surprise. Seeing the result of their hard work in a passion-driven job was heartwarming for all. Exemplified tremendously by Coach Knabe, coaching is so much more than organizing a team and scrutinizing sports performances. Good coaches drive their teams to be better and better. Great coaches shape and encourage their players to be better people. Coach Knabe’s dedication will now be known to all who see his personalized court, and his legacy will be carried on by the Eagles. Article by Alani Seaman
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THUNDERBIRDS: THEN
mbry-Riddle graduate Captain Michael Brewer is the #3 pilot for the USAF Thunderbirds. Brewer graduated from the Embry-Riddle Prescott campus in 2005. During his time at Embry-Riddle, Brewer spent four years on the Golden Eagles Flight Team. The Avion Newspaper received the oppurtunity to interview Captain Brewer when the Thunderbirds landed at KDAB for the 2020 Daytona 500. AN: What is your favorite thing about the F16? CPT Brewer: It's a powerful aircraft that is very fun to fly. One of the things that really makes it special is that it has a very high thrust to weight ratio
which allows you to point the nose pretty much anywhere. AN: In your career in the Air Force, how many different aircraft have you flown? CPT Brewer: When I started, I flew the Diamond Katana for IFS. Then I flew the T-6, T-38, and then when I moved to the tactical world after pilot training, I got to move to the F-15E. Most of my flight time is in the F-15E, that's where I started, until now with the F16. AN: What’s your favorite aviation related memory? CPT Brewer: Oh my gosh, I've got a lot of them. One of the most surreal moments is a very early morning flight, it's pre-dawn and it's dark out, and sometimes you're upset because you're up so early, but then when you're flying and you watch the sunrise over the horizon, and it's just peaceful and quiet that is probably one of the best moments in flying. AN: Tell us about your career as a pilot. How did you start your career as a fighter jet pilot? CPT Brewer: My path is a little bit different. I graduated high school in 2001 in Chicago. I had my private pilot's license when I left there. Then I went to Embry-Riddle Prescott in 2001. I did all my licenses out there, and then when I left Embry-Riddle Prescott, I was a flight instructor for about six months, then I flew part 135 bank mail for another six months. Then I was an airline pilot for about five years. While I was flying for the airlines, this kick to do something awesome and big happened, and I joined the Air Force. Left Article by Korbin Martin & Richard Pokracki
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Right Article by Korbin Martin & Gianna Castano
AND NOW On Monday, Oct. 26, the USAF Thunderbirds flew into Orlando Sanford International Airport to meet with the media. The Avion Newspaper had the privilege of interviewing "Mace" or Thunderbird Pilot #5, Major Michelle Curran, the lead solo pilot for the team. AN: How long have you been flying, and what was your path here like? MAJ Curran: I went into AFROTC after high school up in Minnesota. I competed for a pilot slot and got one, so I went into pilot training with no civilian flight experience. I only decided halfway through my time in college that I wanted to be a pilot. AN: How many aircraft have you flown, and which aircraft is your favorite to fly? MAJ Curran: The F-16 is my favorite for sure. I started flight school flying the Diamond DA 20 single-prop, then flew the T-6 Texan. Once I got on the fighter track, I flew the T-38 before getting assigned to the F-16 in 2011, which I've flown ever since. AN: What advice would you give prospective pilots at Embry-Riddle? MAJ Curran: Everything seems like make or break while you're in college, but you have to realize that it's a marathon and not a sprint. Work your butt off now and aim high, but keep your perspective and don't stress yourself out too much. My strategy is to break up large tasks into smaller ones and take it one day at a time.
labus of flights you need to complete. During the training season, you need to complete two flights a day five times a week. During show season, we normally do practice on Tuesday, a cross country, and a site survey on Thursday, practice on Friday, the airshow on Saturday and Sunday, followed by another cross country back to Nellis AFB in Nevada on Monday. AN: How do you train for and recover from G-Force? MAJ Curran: There is not much recovery time; it is usually one or two days, but I get used to the G's, so I don't feel a dramatic impact when I experience the G's day-to-day. When we take a break at Christmas for two weeks, the first flight back feels awful (laughs) until my body gets acclimated to the G's again. AN: How do you de-stress from your job and spend your free time? MAJ Curran: I like spending time with my husband and my stepson. I also like to go rock climbing. I have a garage gym so that I can workout at home. Overall, I stay active on my days off.
AN: How often do you fly? MAJ Curran: It really depends; you join the team initially for a training season where you have a syl-
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DOUBLE STANDARDS W
hen you first enter Embry-Riddle Daytona’s campus, you will be met by an overwhelming amount of gold and blue signs, with capitalized text which gives the effect of shouting. Unlike the usual messages of warmth and welcomes, students, returning or new, are quick to find, these are reminders of the pandemic which has swept the globe and dealt a heavy blow to the Sunshine State. Reminders to receive wellness checks, warnings to remain safe or return home, and advice on staying healthy decorate the entire campus. Along with these signs have been many emails from professors, University Communications, and President Dr. P. Barry Butler, all of which contain the same sentiment: follow the COVID-19 protocols set into place by Embry-Riddle or expect to be sent home. Despite the warnings, an Embry-Riddle event has taken place. On Thursday, Aug. 27, a retreat was hosted for the University of Florida Board of Trustees by the Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach Campus. As part of this retreat, on Thursday night a banquet was held in the Student Union for the Board of Trustees, which shares its chairman with Embry-Riddle’s board, Mori Hosseini. Based on photographs taken by students during the banquet, it appears that over 30 individuals attended. The images also show that tables at the banquet seated six people and did not have any form of divider. Whereas students are only allowed to eat in groups of four and most other campus areas where food is consumed is required to have dividers. Banquet attendees were also in the Student Union without masks. However, what
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is truly disturbing about this incident is that the university violated its own COVID-19 control policies, which mandates the wearing of face coverings and physical distancing of tables and chairs during events. This gathering comes after a recent email by Embry-Riddle University Communications, on Aug. 23, condemning mask-free gatherings at the volleyball courts after hours. These gatherings were labeled as, “A selfish, reckless violation of Embry-Riddle’s safety rules as well as State of Florida law regarding crowd sizes,” and immediately resulted in both the presence of Campus Safety and the removal of volleyball nets. This description of the volleyball court gatherings can also be applied to describe the banquet. As word of the event spread, outrage rang out amongst the student body. Social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat instantaneously filled with students expressing their discontent and concern over the banquet. One student, Stephen DiRenzo, posted, “It is a complete failure of leadership to not practice what you preach, and builds even further distrust and disconnect between the students and administrators.” After being reached out to comment further, DiRenzo wrote, “We should all be leaders in ensuring we keep each other safe, and those examples should be set from the top.” This sentiment has been widely shared by the student body, both in person and over social media.
Following the initial backlash the university administration received for the banquet, Dr. Butler emailed a statement to the student body regarding the event on Aug. 28. In his email, Dr. Butler stated that the banquet proved to be "a valuable learning opportunity" for the administration regarding external events. He further explained that all banquet attendees underwent screening protocols and COVID-19 tests. One could argue that since all the attendees were tested and came back with negative results that there is negligible to no risk of spreading the virus. However, this logic is unsound due to the possibility of false negatives, which is a concern brought-up by medical experts at the Mayo Clinic in June and published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Another disappointing element of this incident is that an apparent double standard now exists. Students are expected to comply with numerous, but necessary, controls to slow the spread of COVID-19, or face disciplinary action. Yet, high-profile guests from Florida’s public university system, which has also been cracking down on students violate COVID-19 restrictions, and Embry-Riddle leadership can create their own rules. One of the essential elements of an authentic safety culture is that everyone is held to the same standard regardless of position. However, the presence of this double standard also sends a message that Embry-Riddle’s safety culture exists only when it is convenient to the university’s senior leadership and stands to undermine all previous efforts to ensure the wellbeing of the university community. During the evening hours of Aug. 28, the Daytona Beach campus Student Government Association (SGA) Instagram account, @erausgadb, published a post stating that the SGA Executive Board believes “the actions of Mori Hosseini and the UF
Board of Trustees on Thursday were absolutely unacceptable.” The SGA Executive Board will be meeting with Student Leadership soon to discuss the situation and establish an appropriate remedy. Dr. Butler released another statement shortly after noon on Saturday, Aug. 29, regarding the banquet admitting that "We made a mistake” and personally accepted full responsibility. The communication went on to acknowledge the apparent double standard, but also said nothing could be further from the truth. Dr. Butler further explained that “we simply made wrong decisions as we were planning last week’s event. We did not think through the choreography and human variables carefully enough.” Dr. Butler’s message also said information on rules for third-party events will be distributed in the coming days. However, this statement raises another very important question; why should third party events have different rules than internal university events, and if this is the case, shouldn’t the rules for outsiders be stricter? Students are not expressing their frustrations because they intend to disparage the name of Embry-Riddle and all those involved in the banquet, but instead because they want to hold everyone accountable. Accountability leads to change, and the needed change in this situation is to exercise the safety culture that Embry-Riddle is so well known for. Until the university uniformly enforces COVID-19 controls, students will likely doubt their university’s safety culture, and Embry-Riddle’s ability to successfully complete its educational mission without compromising public health. Article by Oliver Du Bois & Mike Shekari
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Remembering a King PAGE 12
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he death of Chadwick Boseman has sent shockwaves through the cinematic community, especially those within comic book culture. The actor’s dynamic career was cut short at the age of 43 by colon cancer. Chadwick hails from Anderson, South Carolina, and was a graduate of Howard University (HBCU). Chadwick Boseman starred in iconic films such as Da 5 Bloods, 21 Bridges, Marshall, 42, Get On Up, and is best known for Black Panther. While Black Panther may just be a dope movie to some, it was a symbol of hope, affirmation, and visual victory for others. The image of a Black superhero sparked the inspiration of millions of Black and Brown kids to realize they, too, can be heroes. The Black Panther movie was not just a marvel in cinematic entertainment but a marvel in the hearts of melanated youth and adults across the globe. As a child, I grew up on Marvel cartoons and comics. It was a ritual on Saturday morning to grab an excessively large bowl, fill it will teeth rotting cereal, and enjoy hours of animated wonderment. Imagery is always important! You have to see something in your mind before you can manifest it in real life. Although I did not openly desire to be a news reporter with bug-like superpowers or a mutated human with knives for hands fighting for equality, I always wanted to be a hero. The issue with the characters I prefaced is that many of them did not look like me. When there was slight imagery representing me as a Black boy, it was met with negative stereotypes or secluded minimal roles (i.e., random hot dog man #3). Comics are not real life, but they open the psyche to grasp future social norms portrayed in other media areas. Art imitates life!
In my childlike mind, some of those early cartoons/ comics silently whispered to me that I may not be relevant, that I cannot be a hero. The Black Panther movie and the excellent performance of Chadwick Boseman shattered that false narrative. It shattered that narrative not just for me but for my kids. After the movie, my kids would yell “Wakanda Forever” throughout the house. They demanded to be the Black Panther for Halloween. They began to have an interest in the historical and contemporary relevance of Africa. They could do something I could not at their age, see themselves as a hero. Chadwick Boseman as the Black Panther, a.k.a. T’Challa, a.k.a. the Viceroy of Vibranium, a.k.a. Mr. I’m Richer Than Tony Stark, gave my kids something I didn’t have, an image of hope. Now I am not saying my kids will start a venture capital firm or start their own African nation in the next two weeks, but now they “feel” like they can. This article was not meant to be a eulogy for a fallen actor but a celebration of life for a cultural icon’s impact. I pray for peace for the family and fans of Chadwick Boseman. Thank you, Mr. Boseman, for letting your light shine in many ways and sparking the passion of millions to see themselves as heroes. Rest well, King! Article by Ronnie Mack
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COVID-19 Brings Significant Changes to Student Employment
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tudent employment is one of the many essential working parts that keeps Embry-Riddle up and running. What was once a thriving, seamless routine for students and staff alike has now become a drastically different scene due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To help The Avion gain better insight into how the pandemic has affected operations in the office of Student Employment, we spoke to Therese Davis, Director of Student Employment at the Daytona Beach Campus. The Avion Newspaper: In light of COVID-19, has on-campus student employment opportunities increased or decreased compared to the previous year? Have you noticed a significant change in the type of positions being offered compared to before the pandemic? What about off-campus? Therese Davis: Obviously, there’s a decrease in jobs anyway going from spring to summer as the campus is condensed, and we don’t have as much employment over the summer, but due to COVID and working remotely, it was dramatically decreased. Now, coming back in the fall, we came back strong. Like you mentioned in your question, there is a difference in the job positions. We have a lot more of the wellness screeners; that’s lent itself to a big boost in hiring. Last August, I believe we hired roughly 350 students. This August, we hired 550 students, so it actually increased. They’re not all wellness screeners, but the departments are learning to be flexible and learning to adapt, allowing some students to work remotely if the position allows and to work here within the university, etc., so they work really well in giving our students jobs. Off-campus jobs are seeing a steep decline. It has not seen a bounce-back that we’ve seen here at the university. A lot of the communities are still struggling; the local business community is still struggling with the number of hours that they’re opening, and just the changes in how they have to do business, so we are not getting as much off-campus employment. So, we’re a little disappointed, but hopefully, fingers and toes crossed, that will bounce back in the spring. AN: How did you react and adapt when you heard the news about COVID-19? What were your initial thoughts/concerns? TD: I’ll be painfully honest; I was really doubtful that we could do our jobs remotely. We are a face-to-face office. We have a lot of interaction with students, and when they said we were working from home, it was kind of a mixed blessing because it was summer, so there was a natural decrease in activity, but I personally was amazed at how much we could do from home; how much we could still offer students, how much we could still help, how much paperwork we could get done. We adapted to be able to do a lot more. Our policies and procedures had to change, and we had to be flexible, but as we adapted and changed, we could really function well remotely. AN: How has implementing Wellness Check stations impacted and/or affected the office of Student Employment overall? Has the transition been smooth?
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TD: Once again, everybody just switched really quickly. When we came back, we didn’t have the wellness centers as readily available as they are now. We had to stop at health services and get it done, so, you know, you just allow an extra 10 minutes early in the morning, and you get your wellness check before you come in. As students started coming back, they made them more accessible. You can’t help but walk by a wellness station wherever you go. They’ve made it so convenient, not in a bad way, but it’s so ‘in your face’ that you can’t miss it. I think it’s just become part of everyone’s morning routine, both for students and staff. AN: What are your thoughts about the student employees that are conducting the wellness checks for students and staff ? TD: In my personal opinion, they’re taking a mini risk. They're facing a lot of people every day. It impresses me how they step up. Our students impress me every day. Sitting in here, you don't realize all the things that they do. They always step up and take responsibility and do whatever’s asked. So, I have great respect for the student workers, whether they’re wellness screeners or tutors. It’s a lot to juggle. They're here pretty early in the morning, and they're still pretty cheerful, which amazes me. AN: Have any student employees who are financially dependent on on-campus jobs expressed concern about not being able to work due to current conditions? TD: Absolutely. We’ve had so many students express concern, especially when we first closed down the university and were remote. There are positions that just don’t lend themselves to working remotely. Take our student assistant, for example. The responsibilities here are mainly answering the phone and filing. You can't do that from home; it's just not a job where the skills can transfer. Some of the tutoring and research did lend itself well to working remotely, but a lot of positions didn’t. Personally, it broke my heart to get the emails from students asking, “What can I do?” Students aren’t eligible for unemployment benefits, so there really wasn’t much I could do for them. I did refer them, however, to the Dean of Students, financial aid, etc. as they had some different programs set up to help students. While COVID-19 has certainly caused student employment to take some dramatic hits, the office has also emerged with quite a number of triumphs: new job openings, a significant increase in the number of students hired, and a greater sense of togetherness. We don't know our true power until we are forced to confront our problems head-on. We are all in this together, and the Office of Student Employment is here to look out for all of our Eagles. Article by Romeia Al-Hajeri
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RK Smithley is a captain for 10 Tanker who currently flies the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 as an aerial firefighter. Smithley graduated from Embry-Riddle in 1983 with a BS in Aeronautical Science as well as an AS in Aviation Management. He was also News Editor for The Avion Newspaper for two years during his time at Embry-Riddle. The Avion Newspaper: How did you become interested in aviation? RK Smithley: That’s an interesting story. I had no one else in my family that was interested in aviation until myself. I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I got out of high school. Originally, I wanted to become a truck driver. I actually drove a tractor trailer with a guy in Pennsylvania, which is where I’m from. My parents got me to go to Wilma Boyd Career School, which is a trade school in Pittsburgh specializing in aviation ground areas such as gate agents and customer service. I became a customer service agent for one of the Allegheny commuter [airlines] about 35 miles from where I lived. I interacted with a lot of pilots because my base hosted a lot of pilots. Back then, we operated the Beech 99, DeHavilland Twin Otter, and other planes that would be considered antiques PAGE 16
today. We did everything but fly the airplane! We loaded baggage, wrote tickets, marshalled the airplanes in, and other tasks. I decided I wanted to fly the airplane instead. A few guys in my crash pad gave me some local flight lessons, and it turned out that one of them had actually gone to Embry-Riddle and recommended that I attended. I talked to my parents and long story short, that’s how I got into aviation! AN: What’s the most dangerous flight you’ve operated so far? RS: You know, people always comment about how dangerous our flying appears to be, but I tell them that it’s only as dangerous as you make it. We don’t make it dangerous. We have three pairs of eyes in the cockpit and we have our own safety mechanisms. If any of the three of us don’t like what we see, we can call for a go-around immediately.
We can debrief the go-around after we’re at a safe height and discuss it then. Although we’re flying at 170 miles per hour at only 250 feet above the ground, we still make sure that safety is the main priority especially given that there’ve been a number of aviation-related fatalities. We use the same numbers that airliners use, such as 1.3Vso (1.3 times the stall speed in landing configuration) to ensure that we don’t accidentally stall that low to the ground. For example, our drop speed for the fire retardant with full fuel is 150 knots, but our stick shaker speed with the parameters is 117 knots. We allow that large margin of room between our drop speed and stick shaker for safety. The DC-10 is capable of flying at stick shaker speed, and we do practice that in the simulators, but that’s only in the simulators.
AN: How would you compare the California fires to other fires you have fought before? RS: The trouble this year is that it seems that there are fires everywhere. A lot of the fires right now seem to be human-caused. Recently there’s been no wind, so visibility is poor because the wind isn’t lifting or moving the
particles in the air. We can’t fight the fires in IFR [Instrument Flight Rules] — we have to be able to see outside at all times. The helicopter pilots can use night vision goggles and fly during the night, but we can’t do that. If the smoke sits over the fire, we can’t do anything to help. One of our tankers is in Medford, Oregon and they ha-
ven’t been able to fly for nearly three days as a result of low visibility. The whole state is covered in smoke, so we’ve had to shoot the ILS [Instrument Landing System] coming back into San Bernardino. Article by Vipul Telang & Rajan Khanna
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This summer, the Embry-Riddle Sailing Club became the lucky recipients of a very generous donation. Mike and Valorie Taylor, two lifelong sailors, made the generous decision to donate their 32-foot Evelyn 32-2 Sailboat in an effort to promote the sport of sailing among young adults. This donation, valued at over $20,000, was the largest donation ever received by the Sailing Club and has kick-started a new offshore sailing team. Their generosity will have profound impact on the future of Embry-Riddle’s sailing program and will make sailing accessible to students, faculty, and staff through new educational programs that are only possible because of their kind donation. Embry-Riddle’s close proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, makes it a prime location to host a sailing program and other waterfront activities. Surfing, Rowing, and Sailing are all unique programs offered to students and this latest donation will only further expand Embry-Riddle’s presence on the water.
Two Generous Donors Kickstart With this new donation, a new offshore sailing program will offer students unique opportunities that they likely would not have access to at other universities. Currently, there are roughly 200 universities in the United States with sailing programs that compete in the Intercollegiate Sailing Association. Of those programs, less than half offer an offshore program, and even fewer own a keelboat for their team. This puts Embry-Riddle in a unique position, owning a keelboat and also being in close proximity to Ponce Inlet where the team can practice and train for regattas. The Embry-Riddle Sailing Club will now be comprised of a dinghy team, offshore sailing team, learn to sail program, and safe boating course for faculty, staff, and students. The primary goal will be to promote sailing in young adults, offer a low barrier to entry, and the resources needed to become a competent sailor. The offshore sailing team will also begin to represent Embry-Riddle on the national level in competitions across the country as well as locally in Florida. PAGE 18
The boat donated is an Evelyn 32-2 racing sailboat. Designer Bob Evelyn constructed the boat to be a performance sailboat with a sleek, low profile design and extremely lightweight characteristics, weighing almost half that of a comparable size sailboat. The boat is also fitted with high performance equipment and gear, such as custom Kevlar/Dacron sails. These qualities come together to make a competitive sailboat with performance characteristics that make it tough to beat on the race course. The Sailing Team has already competed in several local events with exceptional results and experienced first-hand the incredible design of the boat. The team will continue to prepare for the hopeful return of the college sailing season in Spring 2021. In the meantime, the Sailing Team and Sailing Club will continue to teach new students and grow the program. The generosity and kindness of Mike and Valerie Taylor, will have a lasting impact on the student body at Embry-Riddle. Their donation will be used to educate hundreds of students over the course of many years and will ultimately achieve their intended goal promoting the sport of sailing in youth and young adults. Article by John Rachek
new offshore Sailing Program
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The Vice Presidential Debate
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n Tuesday, Sept. 29, we witnessed what was probably one of the biggest mockeries of any presidential debate in all of history. There was disrespectful, and frankly, childish behavior between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. We all hoped for a much more civilized debate between Senator Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence this time around, and fortunately, our prayers were answered. Due to the unforeseen event of Trump being diagnosed with coronavirus shortly after the first presidential debate, extra precautions were taken to ensure safety. Thirteen feet of social distancing, a plexiglass shield, and 90 minutes stood between the end question: who will reign victor? Let the sparring begin. They took center stage with the seemingly never-ending topic of coronavirus. Harris came out with a hard attack, “[t]he American people have witnessed what was the greatest failure of any Presidential administration in the history of our country.” She then proceeded to speak about how Trump’s party knew the horrid news about COVID-19 months before releasing, but did not for the reason of ‘protecting the people.’ Pence refuted, speaking about the U.S.’s travel ban on China, something Biden’s team opposed. He also came out with a swing, saying there may be some plagiarism coming from Biden’s team, drawing parallels between their and Trump’s healthcare advancement plan. Conversations arose about the coronavirus vaccine. Harris said she will refuse to take any vaccine president Trump tells her to take. Pence followed up, saying there have been numerous tests, and there will be a vaccine before the year is over. He stressed the safety of the people and did not want to make it about politics. The conversation came about job loss, war, taxes, healthcare, and abortion laws. However, many were cheerful to hear the moderator, Susan Page, ask about their perspectives regarding the justice system and Breonna Taylor. Pence said he believes the justice system is fair and that if the grand jury does not prosecute the officers who killed Taylor, then he trusts that the system is correct.
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The debate took a few turns, as Harris attacked at full force, stating Trump “doesn't understand what it means to be honest.” She proved this statement by speaking about the many alliances Trump has abolished during his serving years. Pence responded with a talk about Kayla Mueller's kidnapping and death by ISIL (ISIS), saying the Obama and Biden administration did not take the necessary steps to save her. Another topic came from the still unanswered question provided by Pence: Will the Biden administration pack the Supreme Court if he is elected into legislation? Harris did her best job at beating around the bush, but still never gave a solid answer. They ended the debate with a question asked by an 8th grader from Utah: How are the citizens of the world going to get along when the leaders of this country won't? This is a question we all should be asking.
Mike Pence vs. Kamala Harris
Harris, on the other hand, said the justice was not served for Breonna Taylor. She followed up with talking about George Floyd, someone we all know, and argued how broken the justice system is under Trump's administration. Pence showed some remorse for Floyd but was much more concerned about the riots and looting that followed his death. “The presumption that you hear consistently from Joe Biden and Kamala Harris that America is systematically racist and, as Joe Biden said, that he believes that law enforcement has an implicit bias against minorities... Is an insult to the men and women that serve in law enforcement.”
We all know the debate was civil and professional. However, there was a lighthearted moment when a political fly came to give its opinion to the world from the top of Pence’s head. Pence could have as many facts and evidence as needed, but he fell unprepared without his handy fly swatter! It is unclear how the next debate will proceed, but hopes are high that it is nothing like the first time. With less than a month to go, we are all anxious to see which party will come out on top. Article by Andrea Gamble
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NEAR MISS AT LOW EARTH ORBIT
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n Oct. 13, 2020, LeoLabs Inc., a company dedicated to tracking and monitoring satellites and space debris in low Earth orbit, first identified a high-risk orbital approach that was to occur on the evening of Oct. 15, 2020. The satellites in question were Cosmos 2004, a decommissioned Soviet-era communications and navigations satellite, and a spent Long March 4C upper stage, a Chinese rocket body left in orbit. As the time to intersect passed, LeoLabs later confirmed via their New Zealand based radar that the rocket body was still in one piece after the close pass, indicating that there was no collision. A few hours later, LeoLabs also confirmed that Cosmos 2004 passed through safely. The final risk assessment computed out the miss distance to be around 11 meters. Cosmos 2004 was a communications and navigations satellite launched by the former USSR on Feb. 22, 1989. After its operational lifespan, Cosmos 2004 was decommissioned and was left in low Earth orbit due to a lack of a propulsion system to deorbit the defunct satellite. Likewise, since the spent upper stage did not contain enough propellant to deorbit and reenter Earth’s atmosphere, the rocket body was also left in Earth’s orbit. With the lack of propulsion and maneuvering methods between both objects, the approach was unavoidable. In the case of a collision, the two objects involved in the thousands of kilometers per second collision would have disintegrated and flung debris around numerous orbital inclinations and altitudes in low Earth orbit, posing a hazard to other satellites and even crew on the International Space Station.
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To avoid adding further clutter to an already crowded space, present-day satellite operators typically deorbit or bring satellites to a “graveyard” orbit, an orbit that brings defunct satellites away from the path of operational satellites, once a satellite comes to the end of its operational life expectancy through the use of a propulsion system or atmospheric drag. An example of this comes in the form of SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, which is designed to orbit low enough above Earth to allow for atmospheric drag to decay its orbit until it eventually reenters and burns up in Earth’s atmosphere. Similarly, launch providers, such as United Launch Alliance, normally leave enough propellant to deorbit spent stages upon the completion of a mission. In addition to this, research is being done by numerous companies, organizations, and universities to develop ways to clean up such hazards. A solution to this problem comes in the form of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Obsolete Spacecraft Capture and Removal (OSCaR), a CubeSat that’s designed to find and deorbit space debris. Another option is Northrop Grumman’s MEV (Mission Extension Vehicle), a vehicle that’s designed to dock and prolong a satellite’s operational lifespan of which successfully docked to a commercial communications satellite earlier this year. Even SpaceX has something in development, with its upcoming BFR and Starship, a fully reusable launch vehicle and spacecraft designed to be rapidly reused upon return from orbit. Article by An Tran
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MAKE AMERICA
SOCIAL AGAIN
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O
ver the past week, I have been lucky enough to photograph the President on two separate occasions. With the election getting into the final stretch, President Trump is spending a lot of his time in key states. With the majority of polls showing Trump trailing Biden, he has been hitting the campaign trail hard, with Florida being one of his biggest targets. My experience started a week before his rally at Orlando Sanford International Airport. While I was talking to my mom on the phone about my time at The Avion Newspaper so far, a Trump advertisement came on the television. It was a lightbulb moment for me. I’m not the biggest fan of Trump, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to photograph the President. That night, I had found information about the Sanford rally and applied for press credentials on their
website. There is a part of this story I will leave out because it is well known how everything unfolded. The night before the rally, Trump and the First Lady tested positive for COVID-19, and the event in Sanford was canceled. However, just days later, Trump would be cleared of the virus, and the rally was back on. Upon arriving at Orlando Sanford International Airport, I showed my ID and press credentials to the staff and had my temperature taken. Once the Secret Service checked my bags, I was allowed to enter and set up my gear. To my surprise, the press was extremely friendly and helpful. I talked to numerous photographers and reporters who kept me company during the four-hour wait.
To be honest, the time flew by. Before I knew it, we heard Air Force One getting cleared to land on the loudspeakers, and Air Force one came into view. As President Trump stepped off the plane, the crowd went crazy. I saw people cheering and even some crying. What really stood out to me was the passion of these supporters. I've looked at footage from presidential rallies of past presidents, and I can't say that I see such enthusiasm anywhere else. The entire time he was speaking, I felt like I was playing whack-a-mole. I would stand there with my finger on the shutter, and every time he'd point, make a face, or do one of those classic Trump hand motions, I'd fire the shutter and take as many photos as I could. This proved to be a rewarding and exciting way to operate. Still, it did become boring during the times when he was reading off the teleprompter. There are many ways to tell when he's on and off the teleprompter, but I would say the main sign is his gestures. He becomes much more animated when he's speaking off the teleprompter, and that's photography gold. Once the President was finished, we had an hour to pack up and leave. I was expecting the traffic to be light, considering I left so late. I was wrong. I spent about an hour and a half waiting in traffic and can't say that I enjoyed it. The second rally went similar to the first; however, I was sure to get there much earlier and got a great spot on the risers. Another interesting difference was that my temperature was not taken as a precautionary for coronavirus. I can honestly say this was the most fun I had photographing an event yet. While I'm not on the Trump train, I would never turn away an opportunity to photograph the President. Article by Hunter Lyons
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BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK B
ryce Canyon, one of America’s many National Parks, is located in Utah. The park became protected by the National Park Service back in 1924 as a National Monument and became a National Park four years later. Bryce Canyon has averaged around two million visitors a year since 2010. As a smaller park, Bryce Canyon is a hiker’s paradise with plenty of backcountry camping to do through the many trails it offers. Its diverse landscape that changes during the seasons is sure to awe all who visit. In the winter, snow caps everything in a beautiful white powder, turning the landscape into a wonderland. However, the magic begins when the day starts to heat up, as the heating of the sand and rocks makes the canyon walls seem to smoke while the snow evaporates away. What’s left behind is a little bit of wet red dirt and burning colors that jump out against a bright blue sky. The rock formations that burn when uncovered and all throughout the summertime are called Hoodoos, and they scream for attention that they outright deserve. Sunset Point is the most frequently offered trail, but there are trailheads all along the canyon walls leading down into the forest of rock. Along the Navajo Loop, there are many unique formations that can be seen, like Queen Victoria and Thor’s Hammer. These formations look just like their namesake and can be found throughout the park.
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Though Spring Break on the Embry-Riddle campus might be off for 2020, this is an easy park to visit over a short weekend and is worlds away from Daytona Beach. The most expensive part of a trip here would be the plane to get to Bryce Canyon’s Airport. Besides that, there’s cheap camping and the opportunity to stay in a National Park and hit the trails early in the morning. For the adventurous Riddle pilots, there is an airport available to gas up and fly out of so that one may experience the area in VFR conditions. Helicopter rides and charter planes are available to fly over some of the further reaches of 35,000 acres filled with majestic geologic formations that have been aweing people for years.
Depending on how adventurous you want to be, it is possible to also hit up some of the other natural wonders just around the corner. The American Southwest is full of National Parks and Monuments for anyone to discover, but getting lost in the Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon is by far one of the best experiences around. Despite how daunting it sounds, the best time to experience the park is in the Spring, when the snow steams off of the rocks in the hot morning sun. Article by Samantha Stirmel
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CONTENT By Vipul Telang Alani Seaman Korbin Martin Richard Pokracki Gianna Castano Oliver Du Bois Mike Shekari Ronnie Mack
Romeia Al-Hajeri Rajan Khanna John Rachek Andrea Gamble An Tran Samantha Stirmel Hunter Lyons
Photographer spotlight Vipul Telang Alani Seaman Korbin Martin Gianna Castano Hunter Lyons
Rajan Khanna John Rachek An Tran Steven Hodac
page editors Vipul Telang Alani Seaman Korbin Martin Oliver Du Bois Romeia Al-Hajeri Andrea Gamble Jordan Thomas Samir Khairi
Aayush Shah Samantha Stirmel Steven Hodac Hunter Lyons John Rachek Rajan Khanna Victoria Jordan
SPECIAL THANKS PAGE 28
SGA Negar Afshar Sun Coast Press Ronnie Mack
PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTLIGHT
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GIANNA CASTANO
07/14/2020 Canon Rebel T5 Canon 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 Shutter Speed 1/80 Aperture f/5.6 ISO 1250 PAGE 30
T
his is a Coquerel’s sifaka, native to Madagascar and part of the lemur family. I captured this guy when I barely knew how to operate a camera, as you can see by my ISO. It also took me a while to get the camera to focus on the sifaka, as the chain-link fence is in the way. I was captivated by his polychromatic features, most notably his eyes, and I love the curiosity in his face.
GIANNA CASTANO
T
hunderbird #5, Michelle Curran, was available for an interview a few days before the Lockheed Martin Air and Space Show, and I was inspired by her determination to get to where she is. This photo of “Mace� completing a 4-point turn captures this sentiment. Curran pushes herself to the limit and is an amazing woman to look up to in the field of aviation.
10/30/2020 Canon EOS 80D 285mm Shutter Speed 1/2000 Aperture f/5.6 ISO 200
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STEVEN HODAC
03/11/2020 Sony A6000 Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 Shutter Speed 1/50 Aperture f/11 ISO 100 PAGE 32
T
his photo, while not one of my best, is significant to me because of how quickly a scene like this disappeared. This was taken in Downtown St. Augustine, FL, a week or two before Spring Break, and before COVID-19 blew up. This is what a typical day there generally looked like, and I haven’t seen it like this since.
STEVEN HODAC
T
his photo was taken using a window off one of the shops in St. George Street in St. Augustine, FL. My main goal when I went out to take this picture was to focus on reflections. This was taken on one of my first trips taking photos after the start of COVID-19. This street, while usually busy, was empty, and I felt the contrast added a certain feeling to the image.
04/23/2020 Sony A6000 Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 Shutter Speed 1/50 Aperture f/14 ISO 100 PAGE 33
RAJAN KHANNA
07/04/2020 Nikon D90 Nikon 18-35mm f/3.6-5.6 Shutter Speed 1/30 Aperture f/10 ISO 100 PAGE 34
M
ountain streams always provide beautiful contrasts to the greenery and rocks around hiking trails. Views like this are common throughout Rocky Mountain National Park. The Dream Lake Trail was able to give me this perfect setting with the river winding, allowing the viewer’s eyes to look through the frame.
RAJAN KHANNA
T
he top of the Sneffel’s Mountain Range looks drastically different than the base. Above 12,000 ft in the range, the scenery resembles that of a desert. The air density drops significantly so breathing becomes more difficult, and internal combustion car engines cannot go much higher without stalling.
08/11/2020 Nikon D5600 Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 Shutter Speed 1/250 Aperture f/10 ISO 200
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Hunter Lyons
10/12/2020 Canon 1DX MK2 Canon 300mm f/2.8 Shutter Speed 1/640 Aperture f/2.8 ISO 800 PAGE 36
T
his photo was captured as President Donald Trump finished speaking at a re-election rally at Orlando Sanford Airport. The scene was extremely chaotic and the crowd was filled with thousands of maskless supporters. The opportunity to photograph this event was the highlight of my semester and is one that I will remember for the rest of my life.
Hunter Lyons
A
n F-16 passes the crowd at the 2020 Stuart Air Show. Major Garret “Toro” Schmitz was at the controls of this F-16C, applying slight back pressure to create the vapor seen here. This was the Viper Demo Team’s penultimate show for the 2020 season. The special livery on this jet made it a joy to photograph.
11/07/2020 Canon 1DX MK2 Canon 300mm f/2.8 Shutter Speed 1/1000 Aperture f/5.6 ISO 320
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Korbin Martin
10/31/2020 Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 Shutter Speed 1/100 Aperture f/5.6 ISO 160
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T
hunderbirds #5 and #6 perform the Reflection Pass at the 2020 Lockheed Martin Space and Air Show. Thunderbird #5 is the lead solo which is one of the most difficult positions on the team. Thunderbird #5’s number is painted upside down so that it faces right side up while inverted.
Korbin Martin
D
uring Bike Week the Daytona International Speedway hosted the 2020 Daytona ATV Supercross. A dirt track for ATV’s was set up inside of the speedway itself. The track featured sharp turns and steep inclines for the ATV’s to jump from. In this photo one of the racers is about to go airborne.
03/10/2020 Canon EOS 1-D X Mark II Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 Shutter Speed 1/160 Aperture f/9 ISO 100 PAGE 39
JOHN RACHEK
03/06/2020 Canon EOS R Canon 24-105mm f/4 500 second exposure Aperture f/9 ISO 100 PAGE 40
T
his photo is a two frame composite long exposure shot of a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch and landing. After years of numerous rocket launches, and many failed attempts, everything aligned perfectly for this photo. The larger streak captures the liftoff of the Falcon 9, while the two shorter streaks capture the landing burns.
JOHN RACHEK
T
his photo was taken at the 2020 SAISA Open for the Intercollegiate Sailing Association. The photo was captured while the Eckerd team executed a sailing maneuver called a roll tack. During this maneuver, the sailors quite literally roll the boat, almost to the point of capsizing, before aggressively throwing their bodies to the other side and flattening the boat.
02/16/2020 Canon EOS R Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Shutter Speed 1/640 Aperture f/6.3 ISO 100 PAGE 41
ALANI SEAMAN
08/08/2020 Nikon D5500 Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Shutter Speed 1/250 Aperture f/8 ISO 200
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A
long the star-studded walk of fame, there were a variety of posters, graffiti, and advertisements. Amongst these, I found a line of “Together We Are Stronger� posters. I thought it was particularly relevant now as our nation begins the healing process with a new administration.
ALANI SEAMAN
T
his photo is a reflection of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, UK. I was drawn to the perfect symmetry I could achieve in the reflective glass. I was also working on a series of photos comparing new architecture to the ancient styles still present throughout Europe.
06/06/2020 Nikon D5500 Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Shutter Speed 1/250 Aperture f/8 ISO 200 PAGE 43
Vipul Telang
01/17/2020 Canon 5DSR Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L Shutter Speed 1/200 Aperture f/2.8 ISO 800 PAGE 44
R
yan Newman’s horrific crash on the last lap of the 2020 Daytona 500 was one of the scariest racing incidents in NASCAR history. I took this photo from just behind the pit wall, and was surprised at how clearly the car was in focus despite flipping through the air at nearly 200 mph! Newman was rushed to Halifax Hospital and was discharged a few days later.
Vipul Telang
E
ven though I love to take photos of fast cars, photography is not always about capturing motion. The Xfinity cars lined up on pit road prior to the start of the 2020 NASCAR Racing Experience 300. I particularly loved the variety of colors of the cars from each of the teams and their respective sponsors!
01/15/2020 Canon EOS 80D Canon 50mm f/1.4 Shutter Speed 1/8000 Aperture f/1.6 ISO 100
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AN TRAN
11/01/2020 Canon 5D Mark IV 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 Shutter Speed 1/640 Aperture f/5.6 ISO 100
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M
aj. Josh “Cabo� Gunderson performs a high-G maneuver in a F-22 Raptor during the Lockheed Martin Space and Air Show. While the typical high-speed pass shots of jets during air shows are cool, they are pretty common. I like to capture aircraft in the middle of their maneuvers rather than photo passes. This brings out cool effects such as condensation off the wings of the F-22 in this photo.
AN TRAN
F
alcon 9 lifting off from Historic Launch Complex 39A in support of the 13th overall Starlink launch. This shot is particularly special to me due to my proximity to the pad. While I have been closer to a launch, the picturesque views of the pad provided by this viewing area, Playalinda Beach, made for a wonderful shot of this morning launch of Falcon 9.
10/18/2020 Canon 5D Mark IV Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 Shutter Speed 1/210 Aperture f/22 ISO 100 PAGE 47