Physics – Biological Physics
Scientific paper
2009-02-02
Akos Z, Nagy M, Vicsek T (2008) Comparing bird and human soaring strategies. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 105: 4139-4143
Physics
Biological Physics
8 pages, 4 figures. Supplementary materials are available at the webpage dedicated to this work: http://angel.elte.hu/thermall
Scientific paper
10.1073/pnas.0707711105
Gliding saves much energy, and to make large distances using only this form of flight represents a great challenge for both birds and people. The solution is to make use of the so-called thermals, which are localized, warmer regions in the atmosphere moving upwards with a speed exceeding the descent rate of bird and plane. Whereas birds use this technique mainly for foraging, humans do it as a sporting activity. Thermalling involves efficient optimization including the skilful localization of thermals, trying to guess the most favorable route, estimating the best descending rate, etc. In this study, we address the question whether there are any analogies between the solutions birds and humans find to handle the above task. High-resolution track logs were taken from thermalling falcons and paraglider pilots to determine the essential parameters of the flight patterns. We find that there are relevant common features in the ways birds and humans use thermals. In particular, falcons seem to reproduce the MacCready formula widely used by gliders to calculate the best slope to take before an upcoming thermal.
Akos Zsuzsa
Nagy Máté
Vicsek Tamás
No associations
LandOfFree
Comparing bird and human soaring strategies does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Comparing bird and human soaring strategies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Comparing bird and human soaring strategies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-160045