When it's put through tests that simulate typical vehicle usage-30, 000 starts and stops, sudden accelerations, and temperature and elevation extremes-tiny holes begin to show up in the membrane, reducing the power of the system.

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Elevation and temperature dictate the when and where of the brilliant leaves, but the season generally lasts from September to November, beginning in the cooler regions and higher elevations and reaching warmer, more southerly areas last.

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Upon reaching a speed known as V2 (a calculation based on thrust, weight aboard the plane, airport elevation and outside temperature), pull back on the yoke, and away you go.

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Temperature decreases as you increase elevation, not the opposite.

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