Altitude or height is defined based on the context in which it is used (aviation, geometry, geographical survey, sport, and more). As a general definition, altitude is a distance measurement, usually in the vertical or "up" direction, between a reference datum and a point or object. The reference datum also often varies according to the context. Although the term altitude is commonly used to mean the height above sea level of a location, in geography the term elevation is often preferred for this usage.

Vertical distance measurements in the "down" direction are commonly referred to as depth.

Altitude in aviation and in spaceflight[link]

Vertical Distance Comparison

In aviation, the term altitude can have several meanings, and is always qualified by either explicitly adding a modifier (e.g. "true altitude"), or implicitly through the context of the communication. Parties exchanging altitude information must be clear which definition is being used.^[1]

Aviation altitude is measured using either Mean Sea (MSL) or local ground level (Above Ground Level, or AGL) as the reference datum.

Pressure altitude divided by 100 feet (30m) as the flight level, and is used above the transition altitude (18,000 feet (5,500 m) in the US, but may be as low as 3,000 feet (910 m) in other jurisdictions); so when the altimeter reads 18,000 ft on the standard pressure setting the aircraft is said to be at "Flight level 180". When flying at a Flight Level, the altimeter is always set to standard pressure (29.92 inHg / 1013.25 mbar).

On the flight deck, the definitive instrument for measuring altitude is the pressure altimeter, which is an aneroid barometer with a front face indicating distance (feet or metres) instead of atmospheric pressure.

There are several types of aviation altitude:

• Indicated altitude is the reading on the altimeter when the altimeter is set to the local barometric pressure at Mean Sea Level.
• Absolute altitude is the height of the aircraft above the terrain over which it is flying. Also referred to feet/metres above ground level (AGL).
• True altitude is the actual elevation above mean sea level. It is Indicated Altitude corrected for non-standard temperature and pressure. In UK aviation radiotelephony usage, the vertical distance of a level, a point or an object considered as a point, measured from mean sea level; this is referred to over the radio as altitude.(see QNH)^[2]
• Height is the elevation above a ground reference point, commonly the terrain elevation. In UK aviation radiotelephony usage, the vertical distance of a level, a point or an object considered as a point, measured from a specified datum; this is referred to over the radio as height, where the specified datum is the airfield elevation (see QFE)^[2]
• Pressure altitude is the elevation above a standard datum air-pressure plane (typically, 1013.25 millibars or 29.92" Hg and 15 °C). Pressure altitude and indicated altitude are the same when the altimeter is set to 29.92" Hg or 1013.25 millibars.
• Density altitude is the altitude corrected for non-ISA International Standard Atmosphere atmospheric conditions. Aircraft performance depends on density altitude, which is affected by barometric pressure, humidity and temperature. On a very hot day, density altitude at an airport (especially one at a high elevation) may be so high as to preclude takeoff, particularly for helicopters or a heavily loaded aircraft.

These types of altitude can be explained more simply as various ways of measuring the altitude:

• Indicated altitude – the altimeter reading
• Absolute altitude – altitude in terms of the distance above the ground directly below it
• True altitude – altitude in terms of elevation above sea level
• Height – altitude in terms of the distance above a certain point
• Pressure altitude – altitude in terms of the air pressure
• Density altitude – altitude in terms of the density of the air

Altitude regions[link]

The Earth's atmosphere is divided into several altitude regions:^[3]

• Troposphere — surface to 8,000 metres (5.0 mi) at the poles – 18,000 metres (11 mi) at the equator, ending at the Tropopause.
• Stratosphere — Troposphere to 50 kilometres (31 mi)
• Mesosphere — Stratosphere to 85 kilometres (53 mi)
• Thermosphere — Mesosphere to 675 kilometres (419 mi)
• Exosphere — Thermosphere to 10,000 kilometres (6,200 mi)

High altitude and low air pressure[link]

Regions on the Earth's surface (or in its atmosphere) that are high above mean sea level are referred to as high altitude. High altitude is sometimes defined to begin at 2,400 metres (8,000 ft) above sea level.^[4][5][6]

At high altitude, atmospheric pressure is lower than that at sea level. This is due to two competing physical effects: gravity, which causes the air to be as close as possible to the ground; and the heat content of the air, which causes the molecules to bounce off each other and expand.^[7]

Because of the lower pressure, the air expands as it rises, which causes it to cool.^[8][9] Thus, high altitude air is cold, which causes a characteristic alpine climate. This climate dramatically affects the ecology at high altitude.

Relation between temperature and altitude in Earth's atmosphere[link]

The environmental lapse rate (ELR), is the rate of decrease of temperature with altitude in the stationary atmosphere at a given time and location. As an average, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) defines an international standard atmosphere (ISA) with a temperature lapse rate of 6.49 K(°C)/1,000 m (3.56 °F or 1.98 K(°C)/1,000 Ft) from sea level to 11 kilometres (36,000 ft). From 11 to 20 kilometres (36,000 to 66,000 ft), the constant temperature is −56.5 °C (−69.7 °F), which is the lowest assumed temperature in the ISA. The standard atmosphere contains no moisture. Unlike the idealized ISA, the temperature of the actual atmosphere does not always fall at a uniform rate with height. For example, there can be an inversion layer in which the temperature increases with height.

Effects of high altitude on humans[link]

Medicine recognizes that altitudes above 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) start to affect humans,^[10] and extreme altitudes above 5,500–6,000 metres (18,000–20,000 ft) cannot be permanently tolerated by humans.^[11] As altitude increases, atmospheric pressure decreases, which affects humans by reducing the partial pressure of oxygen.^[12] The lack of oxygen above 2,400 metres (8,000 ft) can cause serious illnesses such as altitude sickness, High altitude pulmonary edema, and High altitude cerebral edema.^[6] The higher the altitude, the more likely are serious effects.^[6]

The human body can adapt to high altitude by breathing faster, having a higher heart rate, and adjusting its blood chemistry.^[13][14] It can take days or weeks to adapt to high altitude. However, above 8,000 metres (26,000 ft), (in the "death zone"), the human body cannot adapt and will eventually die.^[15]

There is a significantly lower overall mortality rate for permanent residents at higher altitudes.^[16] However, people living at higher elevations have a statistically significant higher rate of suicide.^[17] The cause for the increased suicide risk is unknown so far.^[17]

For athletes, high altitude produces two contradictory effects on performance. For explosive events (sprints up to 400 metres, long jump, triple jump) the reduction in atmospheric pressure means there is less resistance from the atmosphere and the athlete's performance will generally be better at high altitude.^[18] For endurance events (races of 5,000 metres or more) the predominant effect is the reduction in oxygen which generally reduces the athlete's performance at high altitude. Sports organisations acknowledge the effects of altitude on performance: the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF), for example, have ruled that performances achieved at an altitude greater than 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) will not be approved for record purposes.

Athletes also can take advantage of altitude acclimatization to increase their performance. The same changes that help the body cope with high altitude increase performance back at sea level.^[19][20] These changes are the basis of altitude training which forms an integral part of the training of athletes in a number of endurance sports including track and field, distance running, triathlon, cycling and swimming.

References[link]

External links[link]

• "Altitude pressure calculator". Apex (altitude physiology expeditions). http://www.altitude.org/air_pressure.php. Retrieved 2006-08-08. 
• "The Race to the Stratosphere". U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission. http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Lighter_than_air/race_to_strato/LTA11.htm. Retrieved 25 January 2006. 
• Downloadable ETOPO2 Raw Data Database (2 minute grid)
• Downloadable ETOPO5 Raw Data Database (5 minute grid)
• Calculate true altitude with these JavaScript applications
• Find the altitude of any place

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (June 2008)

Jason Eli Becker (born July 22, 1969) is an American neo-classical metal guitarist and composer. At the age of 16, he became part of the Mike Varney-produced duo Cacophony with his friend Marty Friedman. They released Speed Metal Symphony in 1987 and Go Off! in 1988. Cacophony broke up in 1989 and Becker began doing solo work, having released his first album Perpetual Burn in 1988. He later joined David Lee Roth's band and recorded one album with him. However, Becker's success was hampered by his then-diagnosed amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and he was given three to five years to live. In 1996, Becker eventually lost the ability to speak and now communicates with his eyes via a system developed by his father. Despite his disability, he continues composing by using a computer and has since released Collection, a "best of" album of his favorite songs and three new songs.

Hometown, birth place, school and early years[link]

Becker was born and raised in the city, Richmond, California by his parents, Gary and Pat Becker. He was born on 23rd Street in Richmond Hospital in 1969. He graduated from Kennedy High School where he performed Yngwie Malmsteen's Black Star with his band at a talent show. [1] In high school, Becker met his friend Marty Friedman. He was exposed to the guitar at an early age because both his father and his uncle were guitar players. He absorbed all kinds of music from around the world, and melded different aspects of each style into his playing. He practiced to Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Eddie Van Halen, and many others. [2]

Cacophony and solo career[link]

Becker started out playing alongside Marty Friedman in the Mike Varney produced-duo, Cacophony. Together, they put out an album, and toured Japan and the U.S.. While they never went mainstream in the U.S., Europeans embraced their music and they sold out almost everywhere they went. [3] In 1989 Becker left to pursue a solo career, having released his first solo album titled 'Perpetual Burn' in 1988, and has since released Perspective and Collection, as well as two albums of demos, entitled 'The Raspberry Jams' and 'The Blackberry Jams'.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis[link]

At the age of 20, he joined David Lee Roth's band, replacing Steve Vai, who went on to join Whitesnake. While recording the A Little Ain't Enough album in 1989 and managed to win the coveted Best New Guitarist award from Guitar Magazine in the process. [4] Preparing for the subsequent tour, Becker began to feel what he called a "lazy limp" on his left leg. He was soon diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS; Lou Gehrig's Disease) and given three to five years to live. He could barely finish the recording, using low-gauge (thin) guitar strings and other techniques, which would make it easier to play with his weakening hands. Although he managed to finish the album, which was released in 1991, he did not join the supporting tour due to his inability to perform on stage; former Lizzy Borden guitarist Joe Holmes took Becker's place on tour.

Due to his illness, he eventually lost the ability to speak and now communicates with his eyes via a system developed by his father. Although his ALS gradually robbed him of his ability to play guitar, to walk, and eventually even to speak, he still remains mentally sharp and, with the aid of a computer, continues composing. In the back of the Perspective CD case, Becker states "I have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. It has crippled my body and speech, but not my mind." His medical condition has remained stable since 1997. In 2003, Becker posted on his website that he was feeling better and had gained some weight, while the folder for his 2008 album Collection also mentions an upcoming book.

Perspective and the Berry Jams[link]

In 1996, Becker released an album entitled Perspective, an instrumental album composed by him (with the exception of Bob Dylan's song "Meet Me in the Morning"). The writing of the music had been started before ALS completely crippled his abilities. By using guitar, and, later, when he was unable to use both hands, a keyboard, he continued to compose while his disease worsened. However, when Becker could no longer physically play even a keyboard, his friend and music producer Mike Bemesderfer helped him with a music-composing computer program which could read the movements of his head and eyes, enabling Becker to continue to compose after he lost control of the rest of his body.

Several years later, Becker released Raspberry Jams (1999) and Blackberry Jams (2003); the first contained various unreleased demo-tracks, and the latter contained demo-tracks and alternate versions of songs that were later reworked and published into other albums.

Two tribute albums to Jason Becker have been issued. Respectively entitled Warmth in the Wilderness I and Warmth in the Wilderness II, they feature guitarists such as Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Marty Friedman, Joe Becker, Rusty Cooley, and Mattias Eklundh. The album profits were sent to Becker to help him with his medical finances.

Collection[link]

On November 4, 2008, Shrapnel Records released a new Jason Becker album entitled Collection. The album includes three new songs in addition to some older recordings (some never before released) and features Marty Friedman, Greg Howe, Joe Satriani, Michael Lee Firkins, Steve Vai, and Steve Hunter.

Track listing:

1. Rain
2. River of Longing
3. Images
4. Opus Pocus
5. Higher
6. It's Showtime!
7. Altitudes
8. End of the Beginning
9. River of Longing (Reprise)
10. Meet Me in the Morning
11. Air
12. Electric Prayer for Peace
13. Mandy's Throbbing Little Heart

Enhanced CD features:

1. End of the Beginning Demos (5 Tracks)
2. Go Off! Intro
3. Noodling For Rob and Tony

Style[link]

Considered a virtuoso guitarist and one of the top players of his time, Jason Becker studied the works of violinist Niccolò Paganini and was a playing partner with Marty Friedman. He later arranged Paganini's 5th Caprice, performing it during an instructional guitar video. Becker's compositions often include high speed scalar and arpeggio passages, both of which are trademarks of his 'shred' style of guitar playing. Often incorporating advanced techniques such as sweep picking, alternate picking, artificial harmonic accenting, and tapping; He was among the leaders of the field during the technical 'shred' guitar and Neo-Classical Metal trend of the mid to late eighties and is still respected and honored by his musician peers today. The song Serrana appearing in the album Perspective, is an example of his sweep-picking skills. [5] He demonstrated the arpeggio sequence during a clinic at the Atlanta Institute of Music. A video of this performance first appeared on his Hot Licks guitar instructional video.^[2]

Equipment[link]

Becker's first guitar was a Franciscan acoustic. Prior to joining Cacophony in 1987, Becker worked his way through the Franciscan, a Takamine acoustic, a Fender Musicmaster, and finally, a black Fender Stratocaster with a DiMarzio Steve Morse humbucker in the bridge (seen in the Black Star video, circa 1986).

In the early days of Cacophony, Becker used, and was endorsed by, Hurricane Guitars. The first Cacophony album was recorded with a white Hurricane EX Series model (apparently a Limited Edition) with a maple neck/rosewood fretboard, 22 frets, and an HSS pickup setup. For Perpetual Burn he used another Hurricane EX Series model, this one in blue, with unknown model DiMarzio pickups, maple neck with maple fretboard and 24 frets.

For the 2nd Cacophony album, Becker switched over to Carvin gear, utilizing 2 DC Series models, one in a trans blue finish with flamed maple top, and another one in a solid burgundy finish (This is the guitar seen in the famous "Yo Yo" video from the 1989 Japan tour with Cacophony). Both have double cutaway bodies, Kahler locking tremolo systems, 6 in line machine heads and 2 Carvin humbucker pickups. He used these up until he was diagnosed with ALS in 1989.

During the sessions for A Little Ain't Enough, Becker used various Carvin, Ibanez, ESP and Valley Arts guitars, as well as a Les Paul on some tracks and a Gibson acoustic for select things. From 1989-1991, Becker used various guitars, most notably a Peavey custom model with the numbered fretboard markers. There are a few of these around. Also used were an Ibanez Custom Shop guitar (probably based on an RG), a custom from Performance Guitars, a couple of various unknown Strat style guitars and a black Hurricane EX Series with 3 single coil pickups.

As of very recently, Becker has allowed Paradise Guitars USA to release a Jason Becker signature guitar. It is similar in appearance to the numbered Peavey but with a different headstock shape.

Becker used various types of amplifiers in his music. Before joining Cacophony, he used a small Peavey practice amp (Most likely a Studio Pro or perhaps a Bandit) with the older style Peavey vertical silver stripes on the grille cloth.

For the first Cacophony album, Becker used an ADAMP1 preamp. Perpetual Burn was a borrowed '70s Marshall half stack and a BOSS Super Overdrive and Cacophony second album was a Carvin X100B stack.

For the David Lee Roth album A Little Ain't Enough, Becker used "eight different Marshall amps." He also used the SX300H head at some point during that era. After Cacophony Becker used various amps, including a "Fender M80", an unknown Marshall amp, an ADA Preamp and possibly the aforementioned Peavey combo.

Becker typically used Dean Markley and SIT strings [6]

Paradise Guitar[link]

In 2008 Paradise Guitars worked with Becker to design a Jason Becker signature guitar. The design is based on the Peavey with colored number fret inlays. Features include an alder body, maple neck with steel 2-way truss rod, maple 16" radius fingerboard, 24 jumbo thin frets with colored number fret marker inlays, black Floyd Rose Pro Style floating Tremolo with Floyd Rose Tremolo stop, Sperzel red satin tuners, 14 degree tilt-back headstock with black Paradise logo and matching tremolo and electronics plates. The pickups are DiMarzio pickups; a P.A.F. Pro-Custom in the neck colored yellow and red, a DP116 HS-2 in the middle colored green, and a Tone Zone-Custom in the bridge colored pink and blue. These colored pickups complement the colored inlays and seem to give the guitar a rainbow effect. There is also a red 5-way switch and purple 1-11 volume knob.^[3]

Documentary film[link]

On March 3, 2012, a documentary film Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet premiered in cinemas across the world. The film includes interviews with Becker, his family and friends, and the various world-class musicians he has worked with.^[4]. The film won two awards at the 2012 Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, CA : Audience Award for Best Documentary and Special Jury Prize for Documentary.

New album[link]

On August 20, 2010, Becker declared that he is considering releasing an album of music he recorded when he was in his teenage years.^[5]

Clinics[link]

Atlanta Institute of Music

• Year: 1989
• Gear: Carvin DC127, Marshall Amp, Alesis quadraverb

Japan Clinic

• Year: 1989
• Gear: Carvin DC127

Discography[link]

Cacophony

• Speed Metal Symphony (1987)
• Go Off! (1988)

Marty Friedman

• Dragon's Kiss (1988)

Solo

• Perpetual Burn (1988)
• Perspective (1995)
• The Raspberry Jams (1999)
• The Blackberry Jams (2003)
• Collection (2008)

David Lee Roth

• A Little Ain't Enough (1991)

Joe Becker

• Short Stories (2005)

Other works

• Richie Kotzen (1989, producer)

Instructional

• Hot Licks - The Legendary Guitar of Jason Becker

References[link]

External links[link]

• Jason Becker's official website
• Becker's MySpace page
• Documentary film website
• http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/assignment_7&id=6528617
• News report

Laura Izibor
Izibor performing at Crawdaddy in Dublin, Ireland, 23 October 2008
Background information
Birth name	Laura Elizabeth Arabosa Izibor
Born	(1987-05-13) 13 May 1987 (age 25) Dublin, Ireland
Genres	R&B, soul, pop
Occupations	Singer–songwriter, pianist, producer, arranger, composer
Instruments	Vocals, piano
Years active	2000–present
Labels	Jive, Atlantic
Website	www.lauraizibor.com

Laura Elizabeth Arabosa Izibor (born 13 May 1987) is an Irish recording artist, musician and producer. She won the RTÉ 2fm song contest while still in secondary school. She went on to win an award at the 2006 Meteor Music Awards.^[1] She also performed at that year's Electric Picnic music festival and Music Ireland 2007. Izibor has opened for Aretha Franklin, India.Arie, Estelle, Maxwell and John Legend on tour.

Her debut album, Let the Truth Be Told, was released in Ireland on Friday 8 May 2009, and in the UK on Monday 18 May with a U.S. release to follow on 16 June.

Izibor is currently featured in The CW television show, One Tree Hill.,^[2] where she plays Erin Macree.

Life and career[link]

1987–2003: Early life and career beginnings[link]

Laura Elizabeth Arabosa Izibor^[3] was born in 13 May 1987 in Dublin, Ireland.^[4][5] She is the fourth of five children born to Irish mother Trish and Nigerian father Saul and brother Evan.^[3][6][7] Izibor's parents separated when she was seven and she was raised by her mother.^[3] As a child, she faced racial discrimination. She recalled being "paranoid about one teacher in particular, who I think was a racist" as well as "a few kids who made stupid little comments here and there".^[8] After singing "When You Believe", a duet by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, in her drama class, she discovered her interest for music; she began writing songs at age 13 and taught herself how to play the piano at 14.^[3][9] At age 15, public service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) held a song competition by radio station RTÉ 2fm, which Izibor won. Her winning song, "Compatible", received constant airplay after she won the competition;Laura met her manager Edison Waters of Vibe Music Management. RTÉ also filmed a documentary of Izibor after winning the competition.^[10]

[edit] 2004–present: Let the Truth Be Told

At age 17, Izibor was signed to Jive Records and dropped out of school to record her debut album.^[4][9][11] After a dispute with the label, she signed with Atlantic Records and subsequently moved to New York after her mentor, Steve Lunt, was offered a job at the label.^[4][9] She won an award at the 2006 Meteor Music Award and became the first unsigned recording artist to receive a nomination.^[1][10][12] Izibor's debut album, Let the Truth Be Told, was released in May 2009.^[13] The album debuted at number two on the Irish Albums Chart.^[14]

Film and television[link]

• Her song "From My Heart to Yours" featured in an episode of Grey's Anatomy and the Vh1 reality series Tough Love.
• Her single Shine was the lead track for the movie Nanny Diaries, is currently used in the Hibernian Aviva commercial in the Republic of Ireland and in the Norwich Union (soon to be Aviva) commercial in the United Kingdom. Withfirst-week sales in the United States.The CD's first-week chart position is 27 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums. Diana Ross is rumored to have recorded a duet with Izibor for the European edition of her upcoming album.
• Her song "Mmm..." is featured in Step Up 2: The Streets, Why Did I Get Married?,The Practice, One Tree Hill and Seven Pounds starring Will Smith.
• Her song "Carousel" is featured on the P.S. I Love You soundtrack.
• Her song "If Tonight is my Last" was used as America's Best Dance Crew Season 4 elimination song.
• A video of her performing her song "Mmm..." was featured in an episode of Bones called 'The Parts in the Sum of the Whole' as murder victim Gemma Arrington

Laura debuts in One Tree Hill during the 8th Season (2010). Her song "Can't be Love", which she created specifically for the show, debuted during the 6th episode on October 20, 2010.

Musical style[link]

Izibor cites James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Carole King as her inspirations.^[15] She described Phil Lynott as her idol, while naming Roberta Flack, Nina Simone, Candi Staton and Thin Lizzy her "musical heroes".^[3]

Izibor music has been compared to recording artists Aretha Franklin, Corinne Bailey Rae and Alicia Keys;^[3][11] her writing is compared to that of Carole King and Joan Armatrading.^[3] Nicole Frehsée of Rolling Stone magazine described Izibor's debut album, Let the Truth Be Told, as "a sunny, chick-flick-worthy take on vintage soul".^[11] Noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis of 'Blues & Soul' described the album as "Anchored firmly in classic R&B and effectively combining a reverence for the traditions of vintage, warm piano-driven soul with a fresh twist of modern sensibility".^[16] While Pete Daniel Smith of Sunday Mercury described the album as a "dazzling R&B debut", noting a "a remarkable soul vocal that'll send shivers down your spine".^[17]

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

Singles[link]

• 2008: "From My Heart to Yours" #26 US R&B #7 US Urban AC
• 2009: "Shine" - Released on 27 February 2009 as a digital download on the iTunes Store. #2 JP
• 2009: "Don't Stay" - Released on 11 May 2009 ^[19]
• 2009: "If Tonight Is My Last" ^[20]

Soundtrack songs[link]

• 2008: "Carousel" (from P.S. I Love You)
• 2008: "Mmm..." (from Step Up 2: The Streets)
• 2008: "Shine" (from The Nanny Diaries)
• 2010: "Can't Be love" (from One Tree Hill)
• 2010: "What More Can They Do" (from For Colored Girls)

Collaboration songs[link]

• 2010: "Baby Baby" (from Miho Fukuhara in her album Music Is My Life)

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Laura Izibor at the Internet Movie Database