ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to compare the flight trajectories of feather and plastic shuttles. Initially, both plastic and feather shuttles were projected with a launcher and the horizontal flight distance of the shuttles were noted. Then the trajectories of the shuttles were obtained from video analysis and compared with the theoretical projectile motion of a point mass (not subjected to air-resistance). It was also compared with a simulated shuttle flight with air-resistance. Finally, the orientation angles of the shuttles throughout the flight were examined to provide insight into the trajectories of the shuttles. All the experiments were conducted in an enclosed hall where there was minimal air movement, comparable to that of an indoor badminton court. It is hoped that this study will add to the little that has been published on the technical information of shuttlecocks as observed by Cooke (2002).
