Answerbag: The Leningrad Cowboy's answers

Answer to Does flatulence truly burn if near an open flame?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 18:04:48 -0800

Does flatulence truly burn if near an open flame?

Yes it does burn - I've done it!

Answer to Is there such a thing as a reduced bereavement fare for air travel and what would I need to qualify?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 17:29:09 -0800

Is there such a thing as a reduced bereavement fare for air travel and what would I need to qualify?

I have had a friend try for a reduced fare in this way, but the airline wanted a copy of the death certificate.

Answer to At what speed are fighter pilots ejected during an emergency?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 17:16:01 -0800

At what speed are fighter pilots ejected during an emergency?

The Martin Baker Type 10A Ejector Seat used in all Tornado aircraft accelerates from 0-100mph in 0.4 seconds. In reaction to the response 'but at what speed are pilots ejected?', I say that the aircraft can be travelling at any speed within its capability, and the pilot is at this...

Answer to What is the world speed record for a helicopter?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 17:07:04 -0800

What is the world speed record for a helicopter?

A chopper was converted from Westland's own Lynx AH.1 demonstrator to the only Lynx 800 in an attempt to break the helicopter world speed record. Carrying the registration G-LYNX, it broke the record on 11th August 1986 with a final speed of 249.09 mph (kmh). The Westland Lynx in...

Answer to How fast is Mach 1?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 16:24:31 -0800

How fast is Mach 1?

Mach 1 is, by definition, the speed of sound. This varies with the atmospheric condition, depending on the medium characteristics and the temperature. Try this page for the equation and details: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/sound/souspe3.html#c1

Answer to Is it true that a 2-engine passenger jet can fly on power from only one engine?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 16:15:26 -0800

Is it true that a 2-engine passenger jet can fly on power from only one engine?

It certainly is. Specifically for a twin engine jet, the requirement is known as ETOPS - Extended Range Twin Engine Operations.

Answer to Some people insist that American cars are mechanically inferior to Japanese cars. Others have told me that this used to be the case, but is no longer so. Who's right?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 16:00:43 -0800

Some people insist that American cars are mechanically inferior to Japanese cars. Others have told me that this used to be the case, but is no longer so. Who's right?

European engines, for example, generally are more fuel efficient, and achieve higher power outputs from the same displacement. This is partly to do with US cars running at lower compression ratios, although fuel ratings may also cause some differences. A higher amount of 'highway'...

Answer to What's the difference between American baseball and British cricket?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 15:43:49 -0800

What's the difference between American baseball and British cricket?

Kind of an opposite answer to the question, but anyway! The distance between the two creases in cricket (i.e. bowler's release point to [generally] the batsmen's start point) is the same as the distance between the pitcher and the hitter (22 yards), which is also the distance between...

Answer to What are the poles used in pole vaulting made of, and why are they so flexible?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 15:38:22 -0800

What are the poles used in pole vaulting made of, and why are they so flexible?

From bamboo, through glass fibre and now carbon fibre.

Answer to What are the slope skill ratings, and what do they mean?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 15:30:37 -0800

What are the slope skill ratings, and what do they mean?

The European system rates the easiest slopes as green, moderate as blue, difficult as red and very difficult as black. There is no diamond system in Europe, although there are 'ski trails' in some countries, which are not pisted, but are monitored by the mountain patrols. The...

Answer to Why do Americans call soccer (a sport played with foot) "soccer" while calling football (a sport played with the hands) "football"?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 15:21:35 -0800

Why do Americans call soccer (a sport played with foot) "soccer" while calling football (a sport played with the hands) "football"?

'Soccer' can not have been used before 'football', as otherwise the Football As'soc'iation would not have been named so. I will concur, though, that 'soccer' was used in Britain before the US. Maybe I wasn't eloquent: the word...

Answer to In rally, what is a "herringbone"?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 15:15:47 -0800

In rally, what is a "herringbone"?

In navigational rallies, the team has to work their route at the start of each stage. A herringbone is one example of the logic clue provided, representing turnings from start to finish of the section, drawn with the route in a straight line (the 'spine'), with the turnings not taken...

Answer to Why was Group B rally racing stopped after 1986?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 15:08:29 -0800

Why was Group B rally racing stopped after 1986?

From http://www.stormloader.com/groupb/history.html The end of Group B The pace of technology in Group B was astounding, but FISA was planning Group S. Group S was to be a class which would allow manufacturers to produce highly futuristic cars, and only ten copies would be required for...

Answer to What are common snowboarding injuries, and how can I avoid them?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 14:50:09 -0800

What are common snowboarding injuries, and how can I avoid them?

When learning, common injuries are a bruised bum and sprained (or broken) wrists. These occur when falling heelwise (or backwards) and toewise (forwards) respectively. I would recommend wrist protectors, which are steel shafts embedded into a glove of some sort, preferably on the inside and...

Answer to How much do I have to gamble before casinos will start giving me free rooms?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 14:37:17 -0800

How much do I have to gamble before casinos will start giving me free rooms?

Apparently a 'high roller' is regarded as anyone who is prepare to lose $10,000 a night or more. These are the punters who get the right royal treatment.

Answer to How many en passant movements are allowed in a chess game?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 14:33:19 -0800

How many en passant movements are allowed in a chess game?

The en passent (in passing) move can only be used straight after a pawn has moved two spaces on its initial move, so each pawn can only make the move once (it has to be ready and in the correct position, which it loses after it has made the move). I suppose there is a theoretical maximum...

Answer to Is there a website where I can play Upwords?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 14:24:47 -0800

Is there a website where I can play Upwords?

You can play 'Upwords Club' against your chums on MSN Messenger, although after a trial, one of you will have to subscribe.

Answer to Is there a proper name for the solid geometric shape that is the opposite of an "hourglass" that is, a body of revolution (or cross section of a parallelepiped) that is narrow at the top, wide at the middle and narrow at the bottom?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 13:39:34 -0800

Is there a proper name for the solid geometric shape that is the opposite of an "hourglass" that is, a body of revolution (or cross section of a parallelepiped) that is narrow at the top, wide at the middle and narrow at the bottom?

A Venturi is nearly the opposite.

Answer to Are there any good etiquette guides for children who are between the ages of 3-5?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 12:52:02 -0800

Are there any good etiquette guides for children who are between the ages of 3-5?

Yes - their parents. If you take a question like this seriously, more fool you. How many three to five year olds could read a 'good etiquette' guide, and understand what it meant. Their parents whould be teaching them at that age, and the parents should not need a book to read on...

Answer to When you leave the table during a meal, should you place your napkin on the table or on your seat?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 12:40:11 -0800

When you leave the table during a meal, should you place your napkin on the table or on your seat?

You should leave your serviette on your chair, out of view of the other diners. Interesting that all comments here say that this is 'just wrong', when my answer agrees with Hp-frreeze's answer, and that has an A+ rating. Think about it.