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Formation flying is the flight of multiple objects in coordination. Formation flying occurs in nature among flying and gliding animals, and is also conducted in human aviation, often in military aviation and air shows. A multitude of studies have been performed on the performance benefits of aircraft flying in formation. [1]
Studies on theropod dinosaurs do suggest multiple (at least 3) independent acquisitions of powered flight however, [1] [2] and a recent study proposes independent acquisitions amidst the different bat clades as well. [3] Powered flight uses muscles to generate aerodynamic force, which allows the animal to produce lift and thrust. The animal may ...
Lesser flamingos flying in formation. When in gliding flight, the upward aerodynamic force is equal to the weight.In gliding flight, no propulsion is used; the energy to counteract the energy loss due to aerodynamic drag is either taken from the potential energy of the bird, resulting in a descending flight, or is replaced by rising air currents ("thermals"), referred to as soaring flight.
The WAIR hypothesis, a version of the "cursorial model" of the evolution of avian flight, in which birds' wings originated from forelimb modifications that provided downforce, enabling the proto-birds to run up extremely steep slopes such as the trunks of trees, was prompted by observation of young chukar chicks, and proposes that wings ...
The biochemistry of insect flight has been a focus of considerable study. While many insects use carbohydrates and lipids as the energy source for flight, many beetles and flies use the amino acid proline as their energy source. [35] Some species also use a combination of sources and moths such as Manduca sexta use carbohydrates for pre-flight ...
In aviation, a mid-air collision is an accident in which two or more aircraft come into unplanned contact during flight. [1] Owing to the relatively high velocities involved and the likelihood of subsequent impact with the ground or sea, very severe damage or the total destruction of at least one of the aircraft usually results.
One of the early examples of biomimicry was the study of birds to enable human flight.Although never successful in creating a "flying machine", Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) was a keen observer of the anatomy and flight of birds, and made numerous notes and sketches on his observations as well as sketches of "flying machines". [8]
Tabanid fly in flight. Flies are capable of great manoeuvrability during flight due to the presence of the halteres. These act as gyroscopic organs and are rapidly oscillated in time with the wings; they act as a balance and guidance system by providing rapid feedback to the wing-steering muscles, and flies deprived of their halteres are unable ...