Aerial animal locomotion - gliding and soaring

The structure of animals moving though the air reflects their locomotor habits. Gravitational gliding by certain amphibians, reptiles and mammals is based on their ability to increase the relative width of their bodies thereby increasing the surface area exposed to wind resistance. Direction is controlled by adjusting the surface area (braking being achieved by stalling). Soaring is of two types and is restricted to birds and includes use of gravitational gliding mechanisms. Static soaring (at relatively high altitudes over land) depends on the presence of vertical air currents, whether close to a cliff or within free-floating thermal bubbles (thermals). In the latter case birds spiral downward in the updraft; however, because the bubble rises faster than the birds descend, the birds are carried upward, but at a speed less than that of the bubble. When they reach the bottom, they begin a gravitational glide to the next bubble. They therefore alternate between circling and straight gliding. Dynamic soaring (at relatively low altitudes over water) depends on the presence of layers of air of different horizontal velocity. Speed is acquired using gravitational gliding downwind from the higher/faster layers, height is then reacquired by turning into the wind. The pattern is therefore a series of loops inclined to the wind.

The structure of groups or individual personalities reflects their mode of movement in relation to public or peer group opinion. Certain groups are able to minimize their degree of exposure to public opinion so as to enable them to 'glide' through society with relatively little effort, from a relatively advantageous position to a less advantageous but distant position, such that the potential loss of advantage is reduced by public expectation. The direction of movement is controlled by adjusting exposure to public opinion. Some suitably adapted groups are able to use a rising current of public opinion to carry them up to a more advantageous position from which they can seek out and glide to some other rising current that will enable them to maintain that advantage. Others glide from position to position, increasing their social momentum as they lose their relative advantage, orienting themselves to the prevailing force of public opinion whenever they need to acquire advantage again despite the associated loss of social momentum.

The elegant manner in which forces in the environment are used to maintain advantage, or to reduce its loss in the most effective manner.

There is recognition of the ability of individuals or groups to take advantage of a prevailing current of opinion and 'ride with it' especially in relation to political issues and research or other fashion. Public opinion is also tolerant of the misdemeanours of those it favours, cushioning the excesses of media stars, creative geniuses and aristocrats as they manoeuvre through the social system, in a manner which is not possible to those without such relative advantage. But whilst such techniques are vital to maintaining the relative social advantage of many individuals and groups, they have not been explicitly defined.

Wing span. Sensitivity to air currents. Control of flight. Locating food and recovering height.