General "Did you Know?"s

[ZpaceJ0ck0]

Ever wondered why you often see birds, like geese for example, fly in v shaped formations?



It’s something called “vortex surfing” and they do that because their wings basically create upwards lifting twisting coils of air behind them called vortices. This has also been tested by several military air forces around the world using various kinds of airplanes. The benefit of doing this is that it’s 10-30% more fuel efficient during long-distance flights.

In other words: the planes and birds hitch a ride upon the vortex caused by the plane or bird in front of them.