Talk:V formation

Gooses
The article currently perpetuates a myth (by flying in a V formation, the whole flock of geese adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone) that has been embraced worldwide by hundreds of websites. In the solution to one of my puzzles, "What the Wild Goose Knows" (with thousands of readers since it was first published in 1999 at http://niquette.com/puzzles/goosep.htm), I have taken the trouble to analyze the claim and conclude that a more realistic benefit of the v formation is in the 1% to 2% range (a biological advantage, just the same). In this talk-entry, I am inviting the Wikipedian-in-Charge of the V formation article (a) to put aside the jocular formulation of the puzzle and (b) to cite the analysis in the solution, perhaps even adding an external link. Paul Niquette (talk) 16:12, 8 January 2009 (UTC)

Concerning the formation, is there any real evidence that this makes it easier for birds to stay aloft or maintain speed? In what studies I've seen, aerodynamic investigations showed little or no significant lift or flight benefit from following the wingtip vortices. Not to mention that some species do not maintain such even formations, tending more toward a U than a V. The only evidence I'd seen supporting the hypothesis is that birds other than the leader show slower heart rates and other signs of reduced stress. Could there not be other causes for the reduction in stress? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.45.169.2 (talk) 17:17, 13 August 2012 (UTC)

Planes
In military aviation this is also called 'vic' formation, yes? Or is that a different thing? Drutt (talk) 01:50, 22 November 2009 (UTC)

Split
This article seemed to be about two different things. Also, the section on military flight needed expanding, but would have overwhelmed the content on bird flight and aerodynamics, so I've cancelled the redirect at Vic formation and written it there. I've merged some of the content here to there also. Xyl 54 (talk) 05:08, 28 November 2014 (UTC)

v reformation
Our recent research result shows that V-shape reformation helps to balance the drag load and reduce the required energy to fly.Please have a look at "Energy conservation of V-shaped swarming fixed-wing drones through position reconfiguration", https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1270963819320310. Amirmirzaeinia (talk) 13:49, 28 September 2019 (UTC)