Topic
Dynamic soaring
About: Dynamic soaring is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 178 publications have been published within this topic receiving 3866 citations.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
Book•
1 Jan 1990
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an overview of the basic aerodynamic properties of a single-rotor glider, including acceleration, speed, acceleration, and relative airspeed.
Abstract: 1. Introduction.- 1.1 Gliders.- 1.2 Active Flyers.- 1.3 Outline of the Book.- 2. Basic Aerodynamics.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 The Flow Around an Aerofoil.- 2.2.1 Bernoulli's Equation.- 2.2.2 Reynolds Number.- 2.2.3 Boundary Layer.- 2.3 Blade-Element and Momentum Jet Theories.- 2.3.1 Lift and Drag.- 2.3.2 Power Required to Fly.- 2.4 Vortex Theory of Flight.- 2.4.1 Bound, Trailing and Starting Vortices.- 2.4.2 Steady Motion.- 2.4.3 Lifting-Line Theories.- 2.4.4 Quasi-Steady Assumption.- 2.4.5 Unsteady Effects.- 3. Physiology of Flight.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Energy and Mechanical Efficiency.- 3.3 Metabolic Rates.- 3.4 Oxygen Uptake.- 3.4.1 Respiratory Mechanics.- 3.4.2 Respiratory Gas Exchange.- 3.4.3 Circulation.- 3.4.4 Oxygen Consumption Versus Body Mass.- 3.4.5 Mass Loss.- 3.4.6 Heat Loss and Exchange.- 3.5 Altitudinal Changes.- 3.6 Estimates for Cost of Flight.- 3.6.1 Direct Measurements of O2 Uptake and CO2 Production.- 3.6.2 Mass Loss.- 3.6.3 Doubly Labelled Water Method.- 3.6.4 Radio Telemetry.- 3.7 Flight Duration, Flight Range and Cost of Transport.- 4. Morphological Flight Parameters.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Lenghts, Areas, Masses.- 4.3 Wing Shape.- 4.4 Weis-Fogh's and Ellington's Shape Parameters.- 5. Gliding Flight.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Gliding Performance.- 5.3 Effects of Change in Wingspan on Gliding Performance.- 5.4 Lifting Line Theory.- 5.5 Flap-Gliding.- 5.6 Stability and Control of Movements.- 5.6.1 Pitch.- 5.6.2 Roll.- 5.6.3 Yaw.- 6. Soaring.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Soaring Methods.- 6.2.1 Slope Soaring.- 6.2.2 Thermal Soaring.- 6.2.3 Gust, Frontal and Wave Soaring.- 6.2.4 Dynamic Soaring.- 6.3 Soaring Performance and Flight Morphology.- 6.3.1 Circling Performance.- 6.3.2 Cross-Country Soaring.- 6.3.3 Wing Shape in Soaring Birds.- 6.4 Bats and Pterosaurs.- 7. Migration.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Orientation and Navigation.- 7.3 Flight Range.- 7.4 Cruising Speed and Flight Time.- 7.5 Effect of Wind.- 7.6 Evolution of Soaring Migration.- 7.7 Formation Flight.- 8. Hovering Flight.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Kinematics of Hovering.- 8.3 The Rankine-Froude Momentum Theory.- 8.4 Blade-Element Theory.- 8.4.1 Profile, Parasite and Inertial Power.- 8.4.2 Weis-Fogh's Model for Normal Hovering.- 8.4.3 Norberg's Model for Asymmetrical Hovering.- 8.5 Vortex Theory.- 8.5.1 Ellington's Hovering Model.- 8.5.2 Rayner's Hovering Model.- 8.6 Animals with Sustained Hovering.- 8.7 Summary and for Ecologists and Others: Recipes for Power Calculation.- 8.7.1 Induced Power, Normal Hovering.- 8.7.2 Induced Power, Asymmetrical Hovering.- 8.7.3 Profile Power, Normal Hovering.- 8.7.4 Profile Power, Asymmetrical Hovering.- 8.7.5 Inertial Power.- 9. Forward Flight.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Wing Kinematics.- 9.3 Relative Airspeeds and Forces.- 9.3.1 Downstroke Forces.- 9.3.2 Upstroke Forces.- 9.4 Vorticity Action.- 9.5 Power Requirements for Horizontal Forward Flight.- 9.5.1 Induced Power.- 9.5.2 Profile Power.- 9.5.3 Parasite Power.- 9.5.4 Inertial Power.- 9.5.5 Flapping Flight with Constant Circulation.- 9.5.6 A Method of Calculating Forces with Blade-Element Theory.- 9.5.7 Comparison Between Different Power Models.- 9.6 Take-Off, Climbing and Landing.- 9.6.1 Take-Off and Climbing.- 9.6.2 Landing.- 9.7 Flight Manoeuvres.- 9.7.1 Turning Ability.- 9.7.2 Maximum Roll Acceleration and the Initiation of a Turn.- 9.7.3 Prey Catching and Landing Manoeuvres.- 9.8 Energy-Saving Types of Flight.- 9.8.1 Bounding Flight.- 9.8.2 Undulating Flight.- 9.8.3 Ground Effect.- 9.9 For Ecologists and Others: Recipes for Power Calculation.- 9.9.1 Induced Power.- 9.9.2 Profile Power.- 9.9.3 Parasite Power.- 9.9.4 Power Required for a Climb.- 9.9.5 Power Required for a Descent.- 9.9.6 Power Required for Bounding Flight.- 9.9.7 Power Required for Undulating Flight.- 10. Scaling.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 Geometric Similarity.- 10.3 Estimated Relationships Between Wing Characteristics and Body Mass.- 10.3.1 Wingspan.- 10.3.2 Wing Area.- 10.3.3 Wing Loading.- 10.3.4 Aspect Ratio.- 10.3.5 Flight Speed, Power and Cost of Transport.- 10.3.6 Flight Muscle Masses.- 10.3.7 Wingbeat Frequency.- 10.4 Upper and Lower Size Limits.- 11. Morphological Adaptations for Flight.- 11.1 Introduction.- 11.2 Muscle System.- 11.2.1 Muscle Fibre Structure and Function.- 11.2.2 The Structure of Bird Muscle Fibres.- 11.2.3 The Structure of Bat Muscle Fibres.- 11.2.4 Contraction Rate and Wingbeat Frequency.- 11.2.5 Body Size, Wing Shape and Flight Muscle Fibres - a Summary.- 11.2.6 Flight Muscle Power.- 11.2.7 Flight Muscle Structure.- 11.2.8 Muscle Arrangements.- 11.2.9 The Main Flight Muscles.- 11.3 Skeleton System.- 11.3.1 Trunk Skeleton.- 11.3.2 Pectoral Girdle.- 11.3.3 Wing Skeletal and Membrane Arrangements.- 11.3.4 Were Pterosaurs Quadrupedal or Bipedal?.- 11.4 Feather Structure and Function.- 11.4.1 Main Structure.- 11.4.2 Vane Asymmetry and Feather Curvature.- 11.4.3 Flight Feathers of Archaeopteryx.- 11.4.4 Silent Flight.- 11.5 Wing Adaptations Enhancing Flight Performance.- 11.5.1 Wing Camber.- 11.5.2 Wing Flaps.- 11.5.3 Turbulence Generators.- 11.5.4 Wing Slots.- 11.5.5 Energy-Saving Elastic Systems.- 11.6 Tail and Feet.- 12. Flight and Ecology.- 12.1 Introduction.- 12.2 Predictions on Wing Shape and Flight Behaviour.- 12.3 Wing Design in Birds.- 12.3.1 Continuous Foraging Flights.- 12.3.2 Perching.- 12.3.3 Locomotion Among Vegetation.- 12.3.4 Migratory Species.- 12.3.5 Foraging on Ground or in Water.- 12.4 Wing Shape and Foraging Energetics of Hummingbirds at Different Altitudes.- 12.5 Wing Design of Species in a Pariform Guild.- 12.6 Wing Design in Bats.- 12.7 Wing Design and Echolocation Call Structure in Bats.- 12.8 Evolution of Wing Morphology.- 13. Evolution of Flight.- 13.1 The Major Theories.- 13.1.1 Trees-Down Theory.- 13.1.2 Ground-Up Theory.- 13.2 Transition from Gliding to Flapping Flight, an Aerodynamic Model.- 13.3 The Ground-Running and Jumping Scenario, a Discussion.- 13.4 The Climbing Ability in Proto-Fliers.- 14. Concluding Remarks.- References.
461 citations
TL;DR: The capacity to integrate instantaneous eco–physiological measures with records of largescale flight and wind patterns allows us to understand better the complex interplay between the evolution of morphological, physiological and behavioural adaptations of albatrosses in the windiest place on earth.
Abstract: The influence of wind patterns on behaviour and effort of free–ranging male wandering albatrosses ( Diomedea exulans ) was studied with miniaturized external heart–rate recorders in conjunction with satellite transmitters and activity recorders. Heart rate was used as an instantaneous index of energy expenditure. When cruising with favourable tail or side winds, wandering albatrosses can achieve high flight speeds while expending little more energy than birds resting on land. In contrast, heart rate increases concomitantly with increasing head winds, and flight speeds decrease. Our results show that effort is greatest when albatrosses take off from or land on the water. On a larger scale, we show that in order for birds to have the highest probability of experiencing favourable winds, wandering albatrosses use predictable weather systems to engage in a stereotypical flight pattern of large looping tracks. When heading north, albatrosses fly in anticlockwise loops, and to the south, movements are in a clockwise direction. Thus, the capacity to integrate instantaneous eco–physiological measures with records of largescale flight and wind patterns allows us to understand better the complex interplay between the evolution of morphological, physiological and behavioural adaptations of albatrosses in the windiest place on earth.
437 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, nine procellariiform species, covering a range of body mass exceeding 200: 1, were studied during a visit to Bird Island, South Georgia, with the British Antarctic Survey, in the 1979-1980 field season.
Abstract: Nine procellariiform species, covering a range of body mass exceeding 200: 1, were studied during a visit to Bird Island, South Georgia, with the British Antarctic Survey, in the 1979-1980 field season. Speed measurements were made by ornithodolite of birds slope-soaring over land, birds flying over the sea but observed from land, and birds observed from a ship. In the second group, which showed the least anomalies, lift coefficients corresponding to mean airspeeds were about 1 for albatrosses, decreasing to about 0.3 for the smallest petrels. All species increased speed when flying against the wind. The small species proceeded by flap-gliding, while the large ones flapped infrequently, and only in light winds. The small species flew lower than the larger ones, but this may be related to the fact that most of the observations were of birds flying into wind. The albatrosses ( Diomedea, Phoebetria ) and giant petrels ( Macronectes ) were found to have a ‘shoulder lock’, consisting of a tendon sheet associated with the pectoralis muscle, which restrained the wing from elevation above the horizontal. This arrangement was not seen in the smaller species, and was interpreted as an adaptation reducing the energy cost of gliding flight. The main soaring method in the large species appeared to be slope-soaring along waves. Windward ‘pullups’ suggestive of the classical ‘dynamic soaring’ technique were seen in large and medium-sized species. However, the calculated strength of the wind gradient would have been insufficient to maintain airspeed to the heights observed, and it was concluded that most of the energy for the pullups must come from kinetic energy, acquired by gliding along a wave in slope lift. Gliding downwind through the wind gradient should significantly increase the glide ratio, but this was not observed. Slope-soaring along moving waves in zero wind was recorded. The data were used to derive estimates of the average speeds that the different species should be able to maintain on foraging expeditions. Estimates of the rate of energy consumption were also made, taking into account the greater dependence on flapping in the smaller species, and on soaring in the larger ones. The distance travelled in consuming fuel equivalent to a given fraction of the body mass would seem to be very strongly dependent on mass. Comparison of the largest species ( Diomedea exulans ) with the smallest ( Oceanites oceanicus ) suggests that ‘range’, defined in this way, varies as the 0.60 power of the mass, although the relation is more complex than a simple power function.
359 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the minimum shear wind strength required for the dynamic soaring of albatrosses is determined using a realistic flight mechanics model for the soaring of a single bird, where the transfer of energy from the moving air in the shear flow above the sea surface to a bird is considered as an energy source.
Abstract: The transfer of energy from the moving air in the shear wind above the sea surface to a bird is considered as an energy source for dynamic soaring, with the goal to determine the minimum shear wind strength required for the dynamic soaring of albatrosses. Focus is on energy-neutral trajectories, implying that the energy gain from the moving air is just sufficient to compensate for the energy loss due to drag for a dynamic soaring cycle. A mathematical optimization method is used for computing minimum shear wind energy-neutral trajectories, using a realistic flight mechanics model for the soaring of albatrosses. Thus, the minimum shear wind strength required for dynamic soaring is determined. The minimum shear wind strength is of a magnitude that often exists or is exceeded in areas in which albatrosses are found. This result holds for two control cases dealt with, one of which shows a freely selectable and the other a constant lift coefficient characteristic. The mechanism of energy transfer from the shear flow to the bird is considered, and it is shown that there is a significant energy gain in the upper curve and a loss in the lower curve. As a result, the upper curve can be qualified as the characteristic flight phase of dynamic soaring to achieve an energy gain.
219 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a set of three-dimensional point-mass equations of motion is used and basic glider performance parameters are identified through normalizations of these equations through normalization of the normalization.
Abstract: This paper presents optimal patterns of glider dynamic soaring utilizing wind gradients A set of three-dimensional point-mass equations of motion is used and basic glider performance parameters are identified through normalizations of these equations In particular, a single parameter is defined that represents the combined effects of air density, glider wing loading, and wind gradient slope Glider dynamic soaring flights are formulated as non-linear optimal control problems and three performance indices are considered In the first formulation, the completion time of one cycle of dynamic soaring is minimized subject to glider equations of motion, limitations on glider flights, and appropriate terminal constraints that enforce a periodic dynamic soaring flight In the second formulation, the final altitude after one cycle of dynamic soaring is maximized subject to similar constraints In the third formulation, the least required wind gradient slope that can sustain an energy-neutral dynamic soaring flight is determined Different terminal constraints are used to produce basic, travelling, and loiter dynamic soaring patterns These optimal control problems are converted into parameter optimization via a collocation approach and solved numerically with the software NPSOL Different patterns of glider dynamic soaring are compared in terms of cycle completion time and altitude-increasing capability Effects of wind gradient slope and wind profile non-linearity on dynamic soaring patterns are examined Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
201 citations
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2017 | 22 |
| 2016 | 10 |