- V formation
A V formation (sometimes called a
skein ) is the symmetric V-shaped flight formation of flights of geese,duck s and other migratory birds. V formations are also used on military flight missions.Aerodynamics
Flying in a V formation aids the birds in covering long distances efficiently. All the birds except the first are flying in the upwash from the
wingtip vortices of the bird ahead. The birds in the formation take turns flying first. A littleupwash assists the bird to support its own weight in flight in the same way aglider can climb or maintain height indefinitely in rising air. Energy efficiency can be as much as doubledFact|date=November 2007 by flying in a V formation. The birds flying at the tips and at the front are rotated in a timely cyclical fashion to spread flight fatigue equally among the flock members. The formation also makes communication easier and allows the birds to maintain visual contact with each other.Often one side of the V formation extends beyond the other side, creating a lopsided effect. ( An example of this may be seen [http://www.hmrprint.com/helensphotos/images/WHITE/V-FORMATION.jpghere] ).
Military flight missions
Visual contact is why V formations (and the asymmetric
echelon formation s) are also commonly adopted by flights of military aircraft engaged on a common mission.The basic flight formation for
military aircraft in many air forces duringWorld War II was a V formation. In theU.S. Army Air Forces the most basic formation for bombers was a three-plane "V" called an "element." Stacks of these elements were configured to form a defensive bombing formation called the "combat box ".The V formation is also common in ceremonial flyovers and
airshow flights.ee also
*
Wingtip vortices
*Aspect ratio (wing)
*Flying wedge
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
