the avion
embry-riddle aeronautical university • daytona beach, florida • october 13, 2020
issue 6 • volume 154
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CAMPUS LIFE AND EVENTS Executive Board
Editor-in-Chief Victoria Jordan
editor@theavion.com
Managing Editor Vipul Telang
managing@theavion.com
News Editor Oliver Du Bois
news@theavion.com
Photo Editor Alani Seaman
UNIV 102: Making (More) Friends in a Pandemic Finding Friends when COVID-19 Restrictions Pose a Challenge
photo@theavion.com
Business Manager Samantha Stirmel business@theavion.com
Staff Advisor Ronnie Mack
Assistant Director of Orientation & Communications
Contact Information (386) 226-6049 theavion.com 1 Aerospace Blvd, SU 219 Daytona Beach, FL 32114 @theavionnewspaper u/theavionnewspaper @The_Avion @TheAvion
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Carly McDonald Correspondent Making friends can sometimes be weird and awkward, especially if you’re more introverted or shy. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, meeting new people is more challenging, but not impossible. Here are five easy tips that will help you make more friends. First, if you are living on campus, leave your dorm. This one might sound kind of silly, but it’s important to leave your dorm if you’re trying to make new friends. It’s completely normal to not want to be around other people all the time, especially when you’re working. However, if you’re not doing anything, being around people gives you the chance to overhear other people’s conversations and possibly chime in. Next, ask your current friends (or suitemates!) to introduce you to their friends. This doesn’t have to be super complicated; if you’re planning something, you can suggest that another person you both know tags along. That way, you can meet someone new while sharing a mutual friend, so it’s not awkward. You can also ask a current friend to make plans, such as getting Starbucks in the Student Union. They may see and introduce you to someone that they know passing by. Another way to make friends is to exchange contact information with someone in your classes. If you have a group project and exchange contact information,
you can arrange to meet up with group members for social reasons instead of academic ones. That way, you can have a study buddy for the next test or group assignment or someone who can answer your questions. I’ve actually had someone ask me, “You’re the person who asked this question in class, right? Do you remember the answer?” It’s easier to do this with the people who sit next to you in face-to-face classes, but if you’re early to a Zoom session, try starting a conversation. Some professors actively encourage before-class chatter; if you have a professor like that, jump into the conversation. Fourth, try attending club or organization meetings. This is one easy way to meet like-minded people; chances are that most people in the meeting are there because they want to be. You’ll also probably give your contact information to at least one other person (like an officer). Some organizations, like the Society of Women Engineers, have buddy programs that allow members to have a friend in the club. The same is true for campus events; you’re likely to meet people with similar interests. Even if you don’t end up meeting a friend, at least you attended something that you were interested in. Finally, join a social media group chat. The larger the group chat, the more potential friends there are. Currently, there are a few active group chats on GroupMe that are always taking new members.
In these chats, people will sometimes state where they are hanging out or ask who’s free to hang out with. If you don’t click with the people in the chat, you can simply leave or mute it. While making new friends can be scary, it’s important to remember that starting the conversation is half of the battle. If you feel bold, start the conversation yourself. A friendship can begin with an in-person comment or a social media message. I’ve made several friends just by posting on my Instagram story “Who wants to be friends?” and having an option for me to message them or by utilizing the “DM Me” sticker. Friendships can also take time; you may click with some people instantly, but for others, it may take some time. You’ll get there!
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CAMPUS LIFE AND EVENTS
The First and Only 2020 Vice Presidential Debate Andrea Gamble Correspondent On 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 refutes, 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
then 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 conversations that followed covered 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 that 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. Harris, on the other hand, believes justice was not served for Breonna Taylor. She followed up with talking about George Floyd, a name we are all familiar with, 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.” 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 abol-
ished 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 conversation 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. 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 one. With less than a month to go, we are all anxious to see which party will come out on top. Do you have any thoughts on the 2020 Elections? Email us with your opinion at news@theavion.com ! Content may be edited for brevity and formatted to newspaper guidelines. Content is chosen at the discretion of the News Editor. We do not accept anonymous submissions.
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Page Editors Cover Photo An Tran Campus Editors Oliver Du Bois Victoria Jordan Gianna Castano Alani Seaman Carly McDonald Industry Editors Hunter Lyons Andrea Gamble Romeia Al-Hajeri Samir Khairi Salim Roig Alani Seaman Comics Editor Vipul Telang Copy Editors Kevin Gellin Abigail Laveroni Marlena Purcell
Contributors Reporters Photographers
Alani Seaman Oliver Du Bois Vipul Telang Gianna Castano Chirag Mehrotra Mike Shekari Jack Rachek Samantha Stirmel Hunter Lyons Andrea Gamble
Hunter Lyons Samantha Stirmel Joshua Rosado Alani Seaman Andrea Gamble Salim Roig
Correspondents
Carly McDonald, An Tran, Maggie Scott
The Avion is produced weekly during the fall and spring term. The Avion is produced by a volunteer student staff. Student editors make all content, business and editorial decisions. The editorial opinions expressed in The Avion are solely the opinion of the undersigned writer(s), and not those of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the Student Government Association, The Avion, or the student body. Letters appearing in The Avion are those of the writer, identified at the end of the letter. Opinions expressed in the “Student Government” and “Student Life” sections are those of the identified writer. Letters may be submitted to The Avion for publication, provided they are not lewd, obscene or libelous. Letter writers must confine themselves to less than 1200 words. Letters may be edited for brevity and formatted to newspaper guidelines. All letters must be signed. Names may be withheld at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief. The Avion is an open forum for student expression. The Avion is a division of the Student Government Association. The Avion is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press. The costs of this publication are paid by both the Student Government Association and through advertising fees. The Avion distributes one free copy per person. Additional copies are $0.69. Theft of newspapers is a crime, and is subject to prosecution and Embry-Riddle judicial action. This newspaper and its contents are protected by United States copyright law. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in print or electronically, without the expressed written consent of The Avion.
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CAMPUS LIFE AND EVENTS
Interview with Alex Ahn
Vipul Telang & Oliver Du Bois Managing Editor & News Editor
AN: Is violin the only instrument that you play?
Alex Ahn is an award-winning violinist and entertainer whose specialty is the ability to adapt his style to play at any event. With two decades of experience with the violin, Alex discovered his passion for street performing while studying in Korea. From there, Alex began to branch out to play at shows for corporate events, weddings, and colleges like Embry-Riddle. Following his performance as part of the Homecoming Festivities this last Friday, The Avion Newspaper sat down with Alex to learn more about his unique musical style and talent.
AA: No, I play guitar, a little bit of drums, and a little bit of piano as well. I like the violin the most, obviously (laughs)!
Alani Seaman/The Avion Newspaper
Alex Ahn concentrates on his performance in the Student Union on Friday.
The Avion Newspaper: How did you get started in music? Alex Ahn: My mom taught me when I was about three years old. I probably shouldn’t say this on record (laughs), but I completely hated practicing when I was younger! When I was around 13 years old, I watched the Pokémon theme song and played along to that, and I gradually developed my own style from there.
AN: Can you tell us a little more about your violin? AA: Yeah! It’s an electric violin, which is different than a regular violin like how a guitar and electric guitar differ. The electric violin isn’t nearly as common as an electrical guitar because when you think of violin, you think of the orchestral instrument whereas electric guitars have been popularized by bands. I think that electric violins are slowly becoming more recognized mainly due to artists like Lindsey Stirling who have really taken off with that style of music. My violin is custom-made by [Eric] Keebler, who specializes in custom electric violins and violas. I’ve been in love with it for nearly 10 years now, and so when I earned enough money for one, I bought it instantly! AN: How do you mentally prepare for a performance? AA: I think that it depends on the performance. I just calm myself down and take a deep breath and go on stage. When I’m on stage, I get into a zone and I don’t really think about anything else. I used to have bad stage fright, but I got over it just by doing more performances over time. I really started to enjoy performing and that helped me to be less nervous. AN: What’s your favorite song to perform?
AA: Oooh. So, I don’t really see myself as a musician. I see myself as an entertainer. What that means is that I don’t care if I go to an audience who only wants to hear country music. As long as I see that the audience is really enjoying the music, that’s what gives me satisfaction. I don’t really perform any songs for myself as much as I perform for the audience. AN: What do you like most about performing? The audience satisfaction, or something else? AA: That’s a really difficult question. I originally went to Emory University for pre-med, and then I went to Korea after my freshman year to discover if that was something I wanted to continue pursuing. I watched—have you guys seen the show Scrubs? AN: Yeah!
AA: Okay! Yeah, so it’s hard being a doctor. It’s not what I expected at all! I watched House and thought, “Yeah, this is dope!” and then I watched Scrubs and realized “Oh, this is not dope!” (laughs). I had this moment where I realized I needed to rethink my life and what I wanted to do for my career. When I was in Korea, I taught English, and while doing that I also started the music program at the school I was teaching at. One day, we all decided to go to one of the main shopping areas which had a lot of foot traffic and just began to street perform. I remember there was a crowd of 200 people, and I just—I just had this feeling I can’t explain! I went down to the subway to go home, and a stranger approached me and said “Dude, that was the best perfor-
mance I’ve ever seen!” That was the moment I realized I wanted to perform for a living no matter what. AN: When you’re not performing, what do you do in your free time? AA: I game a lot! (laughs) Right now, I’m playing a lot of Animal Crossing, but I play a lot of PC games as well. I play mainstream games like Overwatch, League of Legends, stuff like that. Among Us is a lot of fun as well, but I never get the role of imposter! I did a 10-hour game session, and I only got imposter twice (laughs). AN: What’s a memorable concert that you’ve performed that stood out to you? AA: There was a college show that I was opening for Lupe Fiasco that was super fun. It was a spring concert, so there were a ton of people there, and some of the student programmers just came up on stage with me and they were hyped and danced and I had a lot of fun! AN: Do you have any artists or entertainers that you’d like to collaborate with? AA: Oh yes. There are so many! I listen to a lot of different artists. San Holo, T Pain – I know that he’s old school, but I love his energy. I just love creating music with people. There’s just something about the creative process and being in the same room with people that’s just special. Have you heard the song “Guillotine” by Jon Bellion? AN: Yes! >>Continued on page 5
CAMPUS LIFE AND EVENTS >> Continued from page 4
grown on me, you know?
AA: Okay, so if you look at the creation process on his YouTube, he gets so into the music! When the bass player gets into the riff, he’s just like (imitates playing the bass). I would honestly collaborate with anyone! My least favorite genre is country because I just don’t vibe with it as much. I played “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” just because I’m from Georgia and so it’s
AN: What’s the hardest song for you to play? AA: Classical music for sure! I play by ear, so I pick up on repetitions in music. I can hear that in most songs, and mess around with it because I know what key it’s in. But with classical music, there’s a score and it’s a lot harder to pick up on repetitions because the song is composed differently.
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Alani Seaman/The Avion Newspaper
Ahn waltzes around the stage as he joyfully plays his custom violin in the Student Union.
Poker-Face: Behind the Mask
Hunter Lyons Senior Photographer
Everyone is aware of the stereotypical poor college student, and many of us fall into that category. Most students at Embry-Riddle don’t have much in their bank accounts, but that only serves as a motivation to make money. Some choose to work at restaurants, and others decide to work on campus, but Tyler Crowell has approached this situation a little differently. He doesn’t work at Chick-Fil-A or the library; Tyler plays poker. On the days he doesn’t have class, you can find him at the Daytona Beach Racing and Card Club from noon to one in the morning. You might be impressed to learn that an 18-year-old is an avid poker player, but what is more impressive is that Tyler is up to $1,000 since moving to Daytona in August. Tyler was born and raised in Ashton, Illinois, and it wasn’t until recently that Tyler learned how to play poker. At the age of 16, his parents (who both play poker) taught him the game. Tyler’s love for poker never faded, and when he moved down here from Illinois at the end of the summer, he didn’t have to think twice about giving the card room a shot.
Some evenings he breaks even or loses some, but anyone who knows the game of poker knows that the game is a never-ending rollercoaster of ups and downs. Tyler says that while he enjoys the game, the toughest part is dealing with “tilt.” Tilt refers to when a player loses a big hand and starts to play mad and make bad calls, which is a common problem for poker players. He explained that “you can make a ton of good plays, and then one bad beat can cause you to play bad. It’s my main focus to avoid going on tilt.” But while this game is full of uncertainties, Tyler says it is a way to be social. “Some of the best people I’ve met since being down here have been in the card room.” While Tyler has many friends on campus, this is a lucrative way to make friends and enjoy life off-campus. Tyler considers it important to point out that this isn’t gambling (in his opinion). He explained, “There is a reason the same people make the final table at the World Series of Poker every year. The game is based on skill, not luck.” Regardless of what it is, it sure seems like Tyler has a lot of skill. He has made a decent amount of money since moving here, and he’s enjoyed making every penny.
Hunter Lyons/The Avion Newspaper
Tyler stands outside of Daytona Beach Racing and Card Club, where he has already earned $1,000. Although unconventional, his methods of earning money are cerainly enthralling.
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HOMECOMING WEEKEND 2020
Andrea Gamble/The Avion Newspaper
Even though this year’s Homecoming week had some altercations due to COVID-19, students and faculty came together to make this the best Homecoming we could ask for. The Festival on the Quad turnout was a success! There was free gear, tie-dying, chalking it up, and eating until our zippers fell. Students tie-dyed shirts and socks, but as the winds picked up towards the end, they may have ended up getting more dye on themselves.
Andrea Gamble/The Avion Newspaper
Homecoming buttons, shirts, and coloring pages were given out to make the students smile alongside the smiley face and ‘feeling the groove’ stickers trailed along Legacy Walk. Fried Oreos and funnel cakes, paired with fried fish, gave the students options for a sweet or salty treat. The social environment was the icing on the cake. Overall, Virtual Homecoming was not a disappointment.
Salim Roig/The Avion Newspaper
As part of the 2020 Homecoming events, students were given the chance to get some nice rest and relaxation by painting portraits on small canvases in the Event Center. Many students participated in the event and were able to come up with some lovely pieces of art. The event was a nice change of pace for many students who felt over-stressed by the daily hustle of earning a college degree. Here’s to hoping that we see a similar event in future Homecomings!
Joshua Rosado/The Avion Newspaper
The True to the Blue 5K is an annual event that has been held on campus every year since 2016. The 5K was created to honor Ashley Guindon, an Embry-Riddle Alumna and veteran who was tragically killed on her first day of work as a police officer. While the 5K acts as a memorial to Guindon, it is also an enjoyable event which acts as a fundraiser for the Ashley Guindon Memorial Scholarship.
FEELIN’ THE GROOVE
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Homecoming Queen Bethany Thompson
Joshua Rosado/The Avion Newspaper
Gianna Castano finishes strong after a long race with a time of 33 minutes and 44 seconds.
Hunter Lyons/The Avion Newspaper
The Homecoming King and Queen pose together after the crowning ceremony.
The contenders for the 2020 Homecoming Court gather together after the ceremony.
Hunter Lyons/The Avion Newspaper
I am a junior studying Aerospace Engineering with a concentration in propulsion and minoring in computer aided design. I am part of the SGA where I hold three positions: Student Senator, Progress subcommittee Lead, and Athletic Liaison. Outside of the SGA, I am also a captain for the women’s rowing team. Finally, I am part of Tri Sigma within the Greek community where I hold the position as sisterhood chair, I host events for members so we can strengthen our bonds as sisters and move ever forward. Because of my involvement with the SGA, athletics, and Greek life, I have had the opportunity to connect with our diverse student population. However, becoming homecoming royalty will let me strengthen these important connections in addition to allowing me to truly show how proud I am to be an Eagle. I want people to see me as all the values I strive to embody, someone who is loving, faithful, empowered, and approachable. Being homecoming royalty is not just about representing the students, but also the university and its values, such as collaboration and responsibility, two values that I strive to incorporate into my life. Through the various organizations I am involved with, I work daily to make our university a better place.
Homecoming King Thilo MĂśller
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CAMPUS LIFE AND EVENTS
Opinion: Catcalling Says a lot More About you Than me Alani Seaman Photo Editor My first memory of catcalling occurred around the fifth grade. It was the middle of the day and my mom and I were crossing a street to go to a store maybe two miles from our home. While I do not remember the obscenities the man shouted at my mom from his car, I remember the pit in my stomach, the fear in my heart, and the anger in my mom’s eyes, as if it happened this morning. About a decade later, I still dread talking to unfamiliar men on my own. I have countless stories that astonish my male friends, but hearing these tales second-hand could never compare to the experience. Catcalling is a form of street harassment that has become a normalized phenomenon in our society. Whenever the topic is brought up, each woman in the room has a story to share. As such a common occurrence, it is rarely approached as a problem; rather, it is seen as a minor inconvenience. While many women have learned to brush it off, others struggle with feelings of low self-esteem, disgust, fear, and depression because of ongoing harassment. On the other hand, the men who harass women are commonly suffering from low self-esteem and self-worth, all while participating in a toxic competition. Many instances of street harassment occur in seemingly friendly interactions: men asking for directions, innocently calling for your attention, etcetera. At this point, women have a choice to make:
do we look down and quicken our pace, or do we accept the social interaction and hope for the best? In my experience, even the most harmless questions can turn into the most harrowing of experiences. Attracting a woman’s attention can be used as a ruse for kidnapping and rape. Even without the threat of violence, men can use harassment to stop women in their tracks long enough to get close enough for physical contact, flashing, or public masturbation. Each of these incidents fall under the category of street harassment, which ranges in severity but is united by the fear in provokes. The men who engage in street harassment are often subject to low self-esteem. Similarly to how bullies attack others to feel better about themselves, street harassers catcall women to assert their power and worth. St. John’s University professor William Castello details the motivations behind catcalling: “There is a competition to be boldest, strongest, most macho, generally driven by rampant lack of self-esteem, disappointment and frustration with life in general.” Catcalling is often worsened by a pack mentality, where individuals in a group feed off their counterparts’ demeanor. Men compete amongst themselves, knowingly or unknowingly, to be the “biggest, baddest” of all. However, their behavior is simply a reflection of their own feelings of self-worth, or lack thereof. The culmination of their negative intrinsic feelings is then projected onto their victims.
Researchers Maria Del Greco and John Christensen assessed the effects of street harassment on women in college, and “findings indicated that street harassment was positively related to anxiety and depression as well as negatively related to sleep quality.” While catcalling may be intended as a compliment, it often triggers fear and low self-esteem, which both contribute to anxiety and depression and can, in turn, sabotage the victims’ sleep schedules. With the stresses of college life already packed to the brim, the last thing any person needs is to be harassed. I personally have regular experiences with street harassment that are amplified by the stress of my college life in the time of a pandemic. While on the beach the other night, I had a male friend ask why I was carrying around my mace with my finger on the trigger. He thought because I was surrounded by friends (boys and girls) I should feel safe. I was not able to give a
great explanation at the time, but I have come to one frightening conclusion: my instincts are bred out of society. Self-preservation is an animal instinct ingrained in all of us, but to specifically fear men in cars or along roads at night is a result of nurture. Walking along the beach at night seems nearly impossible without mace. A parting message to men: catcalling is not a compliment. It evokes fear into the hearts of most women walking alone and can lead to severe mental health problems. Approaching women in a friendly, patient, and cautious way is a much better solution than honking at them as they pass by. There are resources for both men and women who have fallen victim to catcalling. A national nonprofit named Stop Street Harassment seeks to record and eventually stop these gender-based incidents. For more information on street harassment and the work they do, visit http://www.stopstreetharassment.org/.
Image Courtesy/Stop Street Harassment
Photo Courtesy/Nasaspaceflight.com
10 INDUSTRY & TECHNOLOGY
Amazon Unveils Electric Delivery van of the Future
Jack Rachek Public Relations Manager On Oct. 8, Amazon took the wrapping off its next-generation delivery van. Built by electric vehicle startup company Rivian, the new van will be an all-electric, zero emissions, and last-mile delivery vehicle to help Amazon accomplish its goal of being net-zero carbon by 2040. The design and concept of the delivery originally surfaced in early 2019 when Amazon announced a partnership with Rivian. Now, deliveries of Amazon’s new van are slated for 2021 with the goal of having 10,000 vans operating by 2021 and 100,000 by 2030. This new electric van will be Amazon’s first custom delivery vehicle and will come packed with many specialized features to make deliveries easier and safer. “When we set out to create our first customized electric delivery vehicle with Rivian, we knew that it needed to far surpass any other delivery vehicle. We wanted drivers to love using it and customers to feel excited when they saw it driving through their neighborhood and pulling up to their home,” said Ross Rachey, Director of Amazon's Global Fleet and Products, in a statement by Amazon. The new van comes packed with the latest technology; 360-degree cameras, Alexa integration for hands-free voice control, driver assistance features, brighter taillights for better brake detection, and a larger windshield to enhance
drivers’ view out of the vehicle. Additionally, Amazon will be investing in changing infrastructure at its facilities to support its planned electric delivery fleet. In a statement released by Amazon, RJ Scaringe, CEO of Rivian, commented on the design of the new vehicle saying “The vehicle we’ve developed with Amazon is not just electric. We prioritized safety and functionality to create a vehicle that’s optimized for package delivery. We thought through how drivers get in and out of the van, what the workspace feels like and what the work flow is for delivering packages.” The result of this collaboration between Rivian and Amazon resulted in what looks to be a highly optimized, state of the art delivery van that will help Amazon reduce emissions over the next two decades. In 2019, Amazon announced The Climate Pledge, a commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. Transitioning the Amazon delivery fleet to zero emissions is one of the most significant components of reducing the carbon footprint. The transportation industry is one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions and nearly every aspect of Amazon's core delivery business relies heavily on the transportation sector. The investment in these new electric vans is currently the largest order for a commercial electric vehicle fleet and shows Amazon's commitment to sustainability. The partnership initially began in 2019 when Amazon contributed to a
$700 million funding round for Rivian and later invested an additional $440 million to accelerate the production of the new vehicle. Rivian is a new name in the automotive world. Founded in 2009, the electric vehicle startup is positioning itself to be a leader in electric off-road utility vehicles or “adventure vehicles,” as the company says. Rivian originally remained in stealth mode for almost a decade, not even having a company name on their building until 2018 when they unveiled two new electric vehicles at the LA Auto Show. The Rivian R1T electric pickup and R1S SUV are the company's first foray into the space. Described as “electric adventure vehicles,” the company will show the capabilities of an electric vehi-
cle drivetrain in segments currently untouched by other automakers. Their pickup truck, the R1T, will begin deliveries in June 2021 with the R1S SUV following in Aug. 2021. The higher-end models will pack up to 750 horsepower, 0-60 in under three seconds, quad-motor all-wheel drive, and over 400 miles of range. The sleek new trucks have already garnered attention from the automotive world, with a $500 million investment from the Ford Motor Company in 2019 and a partnership to use their electric vehicle platform in Ford and Lincoln vehicles. With so much buzz around Rivian, it will be interesting to see what new projects the company unveils across its many partnerships.
Image Courtesy/Amazon
INDUSTRY & TECHNOLOGY
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Scrubtember, Scrubtober, and the Launch of Starlink An Tran Correspondent Falcon 9 Finally Leaves Earth After nearly a month-long drought of launches from the Florida Space Coast, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket carrying 60 Starlink satellites for the Starlink-12 mission successfully launched from LC39A at the Kennedy Space Center on Oct. 6, 2020 at 7:29 a.m. EDT. This mission was SpaceX’s 12th operational and 13th overall Starlink mission adding on to their ever-expanding satellite constellation. SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation, once fully operational, is designed to deliver global high speed, low latency internet from low Earth orbit. Currently, SpaceX is targeting reaching operational status for Starlink within this year for the Northern U.S. and Canada and then expanding to global operations by 2021. As is normal with the Falcon 9, SpaceX also landed and recovered their reused first stage booster, B1058.3, on their autonomous spaceport drone ship, Of Course I Still Love You, off the coast of South Carolina. This was the 3rd flight of the B1058.3 booster after most notably supporting the DM-2 mission carrying NASA Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the International Space Station as part of the first crewed mission of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program back in May of this year. For October, SpaceX currently has three Falcon 9 launches on their schedule. Still slated for some time this month, SpaceX plans to launch GPS III SV04 for the United States Space Force from SLC-40 at the
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) pending a resolution to a technical issue that appeared prior to its launch attempt on Oct. 2, 2020. Also, from SLC-40, a surprise last-minute addition to the launch calendar appeared in the form of a Falcon 9 launch carrying the classified NROL108 payload for the National Reconnaissance Office on Oct. 25, 2020. This launch will also feature a return to launch site landing of the first stage. To top things off, SpaceX plans to end the month with the first operational Crew Dragon mission, Crew-1, carrying NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker, and JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi to the International Space Station on Oct. 31, 2020 at 2:40 a.m. EDT. As is normal with all scheduled rocket launches, these dates are all subject to change. Scrubtember and Scrubtober The Starlink-12 launch this past Tuesday only came after numerous scrubbed launch attempts from several different rockets. The unusual string of launch delays, nicknamed “Scrubtember” and “Scrubtober” by launch enthusiasts, kicked off with the first delay of the Starlink-12 mission due to rough weather conditions at the off-shore recovery area on Sept. 17, 2020. This initially delayed the launch until the morning of Sept. 28, 2020. Next up on the list was the scrubbed launch attempt of United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying NROL-44 on Sept. 26, 2020 after a ground service equipment (GSE) issue was discovered, starting a string of GSE related issues. This de-
layed the launch until just after midnight on Sept. 29, 2020. On Sept. 28, 2020, SpaceX attempted to proceed with the countdown for Starlink-12 until the attempt was aborted at T-30 seconds due to launch weather constraints. This moved this launch attempt to Oct. 1, 2020. Going back to the Delta IV Heavy, on the evening of Sept. 28, 2020, it was decided to delay the launch 24 hours due to lightning in the area preventing ground crews from rolling back the SLC-37B mobile service tower (MST), which is used to assemble the Delta IV rocket and integrate its payloads, in time to proceed with the countdown. On Sept. 29, 2020, ULA gave the goahead and proceeded with rolling back the MST until a hydraulic leak was discovered preventing rollback, delaying the attempt yet again due to GSE issues. The next day, Delta IV Heavy was given another attempt and proceeded smoothly until T-7 seconds where a sensor identified an unexpected condition just prior to engine ignition. Since the launch pad’s radially outward firing igniters (ROFIs), used to burn off excess hydrogen around the rocket, were fired, the launch of Delta IV Heavy was postponed by at least a week to investigate the issue and to reset the pad for another attempt, clearing the range for SpaceX. As of now, the next attempt for Delta IV Heavy with NROL-44 is slated for Oct. 15, 2020 at 10:00 p.m. EDT. On Oct. 1, 2020, SpaceX’s Starlink-12 mission continued in the countdown until T-18 seconds where the attempt was aborted due to an
out of family GSE sensor reading. The next day, Oct. 2, 2020, Falcon 9 was scheduled to launch the GPS III SV04 satellite for the U.S. Space Force. At T-2 seconds, this launch attempt was aborted due to an unexpected pressure increase with Falcon 9’s Merlin 1D engines. This launch has not been given a rescheduled launch date or time yet, but it is currently expected to launch within October. On Oct. 5, 2020, the Starlink-12 mission was given another launch attempt, but was, yet again, aborted due to launch weather constraints. Finally, on Oct. 6, 2020, Falcon 9 with Starlink-12 lifted off ending the near month-long launch drought from Florida. After the dry spell of launches, launch fans are hoping to witness the launch of three Falcon 9s, one Atlas V, and one Delta IV Heavy within the rest of October.
An Tran/The Avion Newspaper
12 INDUSTRY & TECHNOLOGY Fitness Tracking: Which Device Lives up to its Hype? Maggie Scott Graduate Researcher Gianna Castano Undergraduate Researcher Maggie and Gianna are students in the Research in User eXperience (RUX) Lab in the Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology. RUX investigates the usability and user experience of technology in our everyday world. This is a regular column that explores different technologies typically used by Embry-Riddle students. Introduction The competition never ends with technological companies fighting for their products to be purchased by users. Furthermore, wearable tech, such as fitness trackers, is on the rise and will become integral to life on-the-go in the near future. College students are always busy trying to balance 20 things at once; two of those things are being healthy and being notified about academic and social updates. The term "fitness tracker" may sound like it limits the scope of what the watch can do. Still, fitness trackers such as Garmin, Apple Watch, Fitbit, and Xiaomi effortlessly complement a busy college student's life due to all of the other convenient functions they possess. So, what constitutes a fitness tracker? What makes a smartwatch more than just a fitness tracker? What do college students find desirable in products like these? We asked college students why they
use their fitness tracker and what features they like and dislike. We chose to focus on the Apple Watch and the Fitbit due to their popularity and their connections to iPhone and Android users. Review of Apple Watch For a whopping $400, a student can buy an Apple Watch that motivates them through workouts along with staying connected with people. The watch's capabilities include recording calories burned, sleep monitoring, flights of stairs climbed, heart rate, and exercise ranging from walking to wheelchair distance traveled. "Closing your rings" provides the user with a sense of completion and satisfaction. The three distinctly colored rings represent the user's daily activity goals, and completed rings signify that the user has achieved their move, standing, and/or exercise goals. The watch then prompts the user if they want to reach newer, harder goals for next week. We asked survey respondents about their opinions of their Apple Watch. Some of the primary reasons people use the Apple Watch are because it is compatible with their iPhone and does more than track activity and exercise. Users can utilize Apple Pay and activate Siri, amongst other features. Features perceived as most important by the majority of respondents are the ability to connect to Bluetooth to receive calls, messages, and email notifications. >>Continued on page 13 Image Courtesy/ Fitbit
INDUSTRY & TECHNOLOGY >>Continued from page 12 Relating back to the fitness tracking mechanisms, all of the college student respondents actively engage in closing the activity rings. Closing the move and exercise rings was perceived as the most important feature for reaching fitness goals aside from participating in monthly challenges and workouts. An interesting thing that is seen as “very important” by 5/6 of the users is workout detection; the convenience of workout detection implies that there are possibly too many buttons to press to get to the workout app/area. Additionally, the water-resistance of the Apple Watch is “very important” to all survey respondents. College users also report that calorie burn, heart rate, and step
monitoring are quite accurate no matter the medium the user is working out in (air/water), therefore helping to achieve their fitness goals of gaining strength, losing weight, or simply maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Annoyances to consider with the Apple Watch include dirt getting into the microphone and how susceptible the screen is to being scratched or cracked. Review of Fitbit Considering only price, the Fitbit is a more viable option at half the cost of an Apple Watch. The Fitbit can measure the same activities as the Apple Watch, but it does not hold specific iOS features, such as Siri. To help motivate users, the Fitbit includes challenges and rac-
es. Users can compete with other people or just with themselves. Fitbit uses the same concept as the Apple Watch of "closing the rings," but Fitbit allows the user to customize what activity rings (steps, sleep score, etc.) are most important to them. There have been five Fitbit smartwatches in the market to date, each exhibiting more features than the last. Versa 2, released in 2019, included Amazon Alexa and 24/7 heart rate tracking. Versa 3, released in 2020, allows Android users to answer phone calls and use Google Assistant. The newest Fitbit, Fitbit Sense, includes features that track stress and blood oxygen measurements. Conclusion
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Choosing between these two fitness trackers can be challenging due to the different features each watch possesses. It is important to know the main reasons you want to purchase a watch and your overall fitness goals. If focusing on the price, the Fitbit watch is undoubtedly a more manageable option for a college student, considering it has most of the features that the Apple Watch has for a drastically lower price. If focusing on the other characteristics unrelated to fitness, choose the watch that will provide more accessible features (camera, music, apps) without the need to take out your phone. If focusing on fitness, both have encouraging features to push you to your limits, so pick the watch that you think will better motivate you to achieve a healthy lifestyle.
No More Elevator Music Chirag Mehrotra Staff Reporter As the COVID-19 pandemic has raged on, people have been forced indoors. What do people do next? We start making more phone calls and often end up calling customer service. We are all cheerfully greeted with so-called elevator music for what seems like an eternity. We are glued to our phones during this time, patiently waiting for to be patched through to a real human. In doing so we waste countless hours of our lives waiting when we could be doing something productive and meaningful. There have been no alternatives to this until last month when Google announced a product that would change the game.
In late September, Google unveiled a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, aptly named “Hold for Me,” that could completely change how we interact with customer service. The new software will wait in line for the caller and alert them when a representative on the other side has connected. This could free up what can become hours spent waiting for the caller. They will be able to set their phones down and not worry about missing the representative. One might ask how this is any different from the call back feature we have witnessed in recent times, and the answer is not every company offers that option. Only a few companies offer to hold the customer’s place in line and call them back when they reach the
front. With the Google AI technology, however, the caller would not need to wait for any of the calls they make regardless of if the company offers a call back option. One drawback to the new technology is that it is based upon artificial intelligence. It would require multitudes of data just to set it up so that it can operate properly and even more data to patch any issues. There are arguments that the AI software could fail or malfunction, causing it to not work as intended and not alert the user when a representative has connected on the call. It could also prematurely alert the caller if an automatic voice comes on. In addition, it would not be easy for the software to differentiate between a live human voice and a pre-recorded audio voice. It
would require hours upon hours of call logs to accurately calibrate the software to minimize these issues. Even then, there is no guarantee the AI technology will work as it was designed to work. Introducing the new AI technology will revolutionize an aspect of customer service we have come to ignore: annoying music and long wait times. The new technology will allow people to save themselves the pain of listening to outdated music and do something productive while they wait. There are clear drawbacks since the software is still in its primitive stages, so it will be a while before it is officially introduced. Until it is, we must stay glued to our phones and tolerate the music.
14 INDUSTRY & TECHNOLOGY Mike’s Maintenance Corner: Getting Involved with Preventative Maintenance Mike Shekari Staff Reporter One of the many things aviators are taught during their initial private pilot training is that they can perform preventative maintenance on aircraft. However, it is not always well understood when certificated pilots may perform preventative maintenance, and what specific maintenance actions they can perform. 14 CFR Part 43.3(g) allows a private pilot to perform preventative maintenance on an aircraft so long as that pilot owns the aircraft and does not fly under part 121, 129, or 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The regulations also permit pilots who fly for Part 135 airlines in remote areas to
perform preventative maintenance so long as training and other requirements are met. However, that is a niche issue that most pilots will never experience. The matter’s fundamental fact is that the pilot must be the aircraft’s registered owner and not carrying passengers or cargo for hire to perform preventative maintenance. Now, suppose a pilot does own an aircraft. In that case, the list of preventative maintenance actions they may perform according to Part 43 Appendix A(c) is quite expansive. Below are just a few examples: • Removal, installation, and repair of landing gear tires. • Servicing landing gear shock struts by adding oil, air, or both.
• Servicing landing gear wheel bearings, such as cleaning and greasing. • Replacing defective safety wiring or cotter keys. • Lubrication not requiring disassembly other than removal of nonstructural items such as cover plates, cowlings, and fairings. • Replacing safety belts. • Trouble shooting and repairing broken circuits in landing light wiring circuits. • Replacing or cleaning spark plugs and setting of spark plug gap clearance. • Replacing any hose connection except hydraulic connections. • Replacing and servicing batteries. However, just because a pilot can perform these preventative maintenance items on their own does not mean that they should. Many of the items allowed by Appendix A(c) require a certain skill level, special tools, or both to be done correctly. For example, when replacing safety wire, the pilot must know how to run the wire positively so that fasteners do not loosen and ensure the permissible number of twists per inch in the wire. Safety wire can also be a physically challenging task due to access issues, and sometimes even A&P mechanics will need multiple attempts to safely fasten a particularly tricky application. Also, if a pilot decides to undertake a task like replacing safety belts, they must have a calibrated torque wrench to ensure that the safety belts are secured to the airframe. However, I am a massive advocate for pilot assisted aircraft maintenance during more complicated preventative maintenance actions and other work be-
cause it facilitates learning on the parts of the pilot and the supervising aircraft maintenance technician. Pilots assisting A&P mechanics is also a fantastic way for non-aircraft owners to legally get involved with aircraft maintenance under the provisions of Part 43.3(d). Finally, just like any maintenance action performed by an A&P mechanic or certified Part 145 repair station, all preventative maintenance performed by the pilot must be documented in the aircraft, propeller, or powerplant logbooks as appropriate. The requirements for this entry can be found in Part 43.9(a).
Photo Courtesy/Laura Flowers
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Petrified Forest National Park Samantha Stirmel Business Manager Petrified Forest National Park sprawls across 146,900 acres of arid desert in Arizona. There are walking trails, as well as backcountry expeditions, available while still allowing a lot of access by car. Petrified Forest is home to historic roads and even some dinosaur bones. It’s also called the Painted Desert because of the worn away rock formations that look like the blue and purple version of The Badlands. One thing is for sure, this park is 225 million years in the making and it does not disappoint in its tranquil views of what looks like another world. When driving your car through the front gate of the park, you may look around and wonder what there is to see. The funny thing is that there really isn’t much, at least not until you get to the landmark sites. As you pick between whether you want to see dinosaur sites, hills, or petrified wood, you slowly make your way through the barren wasteland that is the park. The hills will
surprise with their vibrant stripes, which all seem to be different colors. There is a silent awe which acts to remind visitors that this was all here before civilization began. Nestled between the valleys are walking paths which are littered with small cacti, but besides that, it’s as open as the eye can see. If you’ve never been to Badlands National Park, this is as close as you will get. Although, it is much smaller and there’s a lot less green. Walking around, there is a complete silence that not even the wind is can touch. The ground is dotted with old sections of trees and stumps, and as you get closer, they glitter in the sunlight. This is a prime example of what it is like when wood is petrified. What was once wood that could be burned in a campfire has turned to a mineralized block over the years. Where Petrified Forest is now, there was once a densely forested landscape before being covered in layers of silt. Over the millennia, that silt has worn away due to wind and the underground wood has been al-
Samantha Stirmel/The Avion Newspaper
A sight from the walk down into the Blue Mesa section of the park. The layers in the canyon walls stand in stark contrast to their surroundings.
lowed to petrify. This wood can be seen in the park today on nature-made pedestals of rock and dirt that continue to wear away and show off these geological specimens. There is little backcountry camping along designated routes to do here because of the landscape, but that doesn’t mean that people never lived here. Puerco Pueblo is what’s left of an old Puebloan house that was estimated to be built between 1200 and 1400 A.D. and can still be toured today. Another ruin on the property is the Agate House, which is thought to have been used between 1100 and 1150 A.D. and was built out of the petrified wood in the surrounding area. Both houses stand as a testament to the native people who used to live in this land, braving a landscape seemingly unlivable. The soothing, earthy tones of this park will make even the most stressed visitor feel relaxed. History is here, and walking through the park is an excellent way to be a part of it. This isn’t a park you
Samantha Stirmel/The Avion Newspaper
Park rangers claim that the views within the canyon are even more extraordinary at golden hour.
spend days in with tons of things to do, but it is definitely one that anyone should visit to gain an appreciation for the desert landscapes that cover around a third of the world.
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COMICS & GAMES 55. Popular hoopster Jeremy 56. Shed tears 57. Low frequency 58. Harmful bacterium 63. Common language: lingua __ 65. Standards of perfection 66. They consist of two parts 67. A detailed description of design
Recipe of the Week
Triple Chocolate Muffins Makes 12
CLUES DOWN
1. Upright post on a boat 5. Sentimental person 10. Native American tribe 12. Wear away 14. Where you’re going 16. Doctor 18. Popular Chinese dialect 19. One point east of due south 20. Northern sea duck 22. Note
23. Wives (law) 25. Trigonometric function 26. A way to communicate (abbr.) 27. Swiss river 28. No (Scottish) 30. Commercials 31. Large instrument 33. __ Chantilly, __ de Menthe 35. Small, saclike cavities 37. High and thin in tone
38. Treat extremely well 40. Famed track star Usain 41. Secure web connection (abbr.) 42. Rob of energy 44. Paving material 45. Cool! 48. Tip of Aleutian Islands 50. Indicates silence 52. Water in the solid state 53. Security interests
Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup white chocolate chips 2 large eggs beaten 1 1/4 cup sour cream 6 tablespoons packed brown sugar 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and baking soda into a large bowl. Add the semisweet and white chocolate chips, and stir. Place the eggs, sour cream, sugar, and melted butter in a separate mixing bowl, and mix well. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and stir gently until just combined. Using two spoons, divide the batter evenly among the paper liners. Then bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until well risen and firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and serve warm, or place on a cooling rack and let cool.
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SUDOKU
CLUES ACROSS
1. More (Spanish) 2. A subdivision of a play 3. Japanese title 4. More jittery 5. Fabric 6. Luke’s mentor __-Wan 7. Cleaving tool 8. Ancient city of Egypt 9. 36 inches 10. Farewell 11. Second to last 13. Improved by critical editing 15. Defensive weapon (abbr.) 17. Fancy attire 18. __ Farrow, actress 21. Completely opposed 23. Supervises flying 24. Pouch 27. True firs 29. Mistake 32. Computing platform (abbr.) 34. Snakelike fish 35. Greatly horrify 36. Despicable person 39. Tell on 40. Ballplayer’s tool 43. Central Brazilian town 44. Court game 46. Land 47. “The Partridge Family” actress Susan 49. Retract a statement 51. Data executive 54. Capital of Yemen 59. Portable computer screen material 60. Electronic data processing 61. “Matt Houston” actor Horsley 62. Resinous substance 64. Rural delivery
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