This Way

A long time ago, I learned of the value of a flock of birds flying in V-formation. All the birds benefit from the upwash of the wingtip vortices... more

by Alex Esguerra

Title

This Way

Artist

Alex Esguerra

Medium

Photograph - Color

Description

A long time ago, I learned of the value of a flock of birds flying in V-formation. All the birds benefit from the upwash of the wingtip vortices created from the one ahead, having to exert less effort as they fly. It's a marvel of Mother Nature, but it also gives me greater appreciation for that leading bird. He/She is putting out the greatest effort being in the lead position so that the one(s) following can have it a little easier.

That was all I could think about as I studied this photo of an aircraft on approach into San Francisco. Three jets were on approach with a rather tall fog bank obscuring their view of the runway. No, they were not flying so close that they using each other's upwash, but a different take on the lead helping those behind him. The first of the trio, a Boeing 737 on an instrument approach, has just transited thru the top of the stratus. Much to the benefit of the other two, it's wake turbulence has opened up a hole for the crew of a 767 to sight the field thru. And that heavy would further widen the gap in the fog for the trailing A320 to utilize.

Uploaded

October 9th, 2014