|
Airplanes can do exactly the same things. They don't flap their wings but can make the same small adjustments to their wings for similar effects. Next time you fly check out the wings when you're taking off or landing, there are flaps on the rear edge of the wings - I think they're called aerilons.
Try this: make a paper airplane and rip two lines at the back of each of the wings, creating rectangular flaps. Folding both of these up or down will change it's pitch, and having one straight and one bent will do crazy spinny stuff. It's all about adjusting the airflow over the wing.
I'm sure seagulls can do the same thing with their feathers, and from so far away the very minor adjustments are impossible to see.
|