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Journal of Experimental Biology 52,345-367 (1970)
Published by Company of Biologists 1970

Aerodynamics of Gliding Flight in a Falcon and Other Birds

VANCE A. TUCKER ¹ and G. CHRISTIAN PARROTT ¹

¹ Department of Zoology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina

1. A live laggar falcon (Falco jugger) glided in a wind tunnel at speeds between 6.6 and 15.9 m./sec. The bird had a maximum lift to drag ratio (L/D) of 10 at a speed of 12.5 m./sec. As the falcon increased its air speed at a given glide angle, it reduced its wing span, wing area and lift coefficient.

2. A model aircraft with about the same wingspan as the falcon had a maximum L/D value of 10.

3. Published measurements of the aerodynamic characteristics of gliding birds are summarized by presenting them in a diagram showing air speed, sinking speed and L/D values. Data for a high-performance sailplane are included. The soaring birds had maximum L/D values near 10, or about one quarter that of the sailplane. The birds glided more slowly than the sailplane and had about the same sinking speed.

4. The ‘equivalent parasite area’ method used by aircraft designers to estimate parasite drag was modified for use with gliding birds, and empirical data are presented to provide a means of predicting the gliding performance of a bird in the absence of wind-tunnel tests.

5. The birds in this study had conventional values for parasite drag. Technical errors seem responsible for published claims of unusually low parasite drag values in a vulture.

6. The falcon adjusted its wing span in flight to achieve nearly the maximum possible L/D value over its range of gliding speeds.

7. The maximum terminal speed of the falcon in a vertical dive is estimated to be 100 m./sec.

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