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Landing swan

alioth wrote:

A friend of mine didn’t and the birds were very unhappy about the situation, apparently.

I guess he was not centering well and tight and was unable to climb quickly

Paris/Essex, France/UK, United Kingdom

If in a glider, you should follow the rule “when joining a thermal, circle in the same direction that gliders are already circling” with soaring birds, too. A friend of mine didn’t and the birds were very unhappy about the situation, apparently.

Andreas IOM

Airborne_Again wrote:

They should have the same need to assess wind etc. as human pilots do, so this behaviour makes sene.

I didn’t see a signals square.

EGKB Biggin Hill

GA_Pete wrote:

Having spent a lot of time by water, I can absolutely say I’ve seen this behaviour several times. It’s great to watch.

They should have the same need to assess wind etc. as human pilots do, so this behaviour makes sene.

ESKC (Uppsala/Sundbro), Sweden

Timothy wrote-

“They then created a visual circuit, which they joined “downwind”. They all followed the same pattern, just like our circuits, and they made “circuit calls”, ie particular, and I thought distinguishable, quacks at different points in the circuit, which were approximately downwind and “turning final”. They did not, however, all land in the same place and “clear the runway.” Instead they adjusted their final approach fairly late on to land alongside each other.”

Having spent a lot of time by water, I can absolutely say I’ve seen this behaviour several times. It’s great to watch.
I also enjoy seeing Swans flying in ‘ground effect’ over water. Sometimes for quite some distance.
In South Africa I was Flexwing flying and had a very large bird of prey formate up close. (probably no more than a couple of meters off the wing tip)
He/She was very relaxed in appearance and was actively looking at us. Stayes quite a while even through some turns which we deliberately softened.
Some birds really do appear very conscious of their flight. Which is cool.

United Kingdom

They trap you, then they squeeze you.

EGKB Biggin Hill

haha, yes it did feel very intimate but anyway he (or she) was nice and charming

Paris/Essex, France/UK, United Kingdom

@Ibra, sorry to be the one to break it to you, but that was a mating ritual.

EGKB Biggin Hill

I had a conversation with Nils Holgersson some years ago and he confirmed the pattern as duck flock SOP.

Safe landings !
EDLN, Germany

Gliding in the Alps, I had a vulture come in close to check us (I was with an instructor) out. We made eye contact. Then he went into quite an aerobatic routine. I could have sworn he was challenging us to a flying duel. “You jokers think you’re hot shit! Not!” Then we outstripped him; we were too fast unless he was in a descent. I could have sworn he wanted us to show him what we could do. They seem conscious of their flying.

Last Edited by WhiskeyPapa at 11 Jan 03:58
Tököl LHTL
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