FLIGHT
Feathered World, May 2000
Meteorological kites are being produced, that can reach an altitude of six
miles. Mountaineers can now have a small package that contains a very light
plastic object that seems to be a cross between a kite and a balloon. This
device can be released if the person gets lost or into difficulties and will
provide an easy marker for those people who have to search. This lifesaving
device, if caused to drop to the ground if the wind fails, will launch
itself, unaided, when the wind returns. I only mention these two items to
show how very easy it is to fly, provided that the structure, balance and
weight are right. A few specialised types of domestic pigeon have the tail
purchase, the wing action and the overall structure, that is conducive to
kite-like lift. Two examples will indicate what I mean.
The true old type of Macclesfield Tippler was identifiable by its style of
flying. By a system of tacks, running down wind and then to face the wind
with a spread tail and a steady wing beat, the air purchase would very soon
cause the 'Macs' to be very high in the sky. They were not inclined to race
away in the style of racing pigeons. A most economical style of flying that
could go on for many hours.
The Polish Orliks. They had an even more pronounced way of using the breeze,
rather than fighting the breeze. The very wide spread of an Orliks tail and
the broad wings, give maximum purchase. In fact, the trailing edges of the
wings were very close up to the leading edges of the spread tail, during
hovering flight. The Orliks that I had would not attempt to fly unless the
wind was right. When, however, the wind was right, they would circle to gain
about 300 feet and then face the breeze. The tail was inclined downwards to
act as a breeze envelope, the wings merely catching purchase from the breeze
and used to keep the pigeon headed directly and precisely into the breeze.
A kite is held by its line which acts as a lever. The shape and the
presentation to the airflow, is why a kite will fly. A high-flying pigeon
just has to keep itself headed into the lifting breeze. In certain
atmospheric conditions, the lift is extreme and such pigeons can go to
dangerous heights where clouds, haze and upper air pollution become a
hazard. Finally, it is not just a case of selecting the correct structure.
Many specimens are structurally correct, but lack the selective pressures,
the training and the character for such flying.