John Glover

Deeply Enjoyable Flight

John Glover

2

During a relaxing and deeply enjoyable late afternoon flight in a small light private aircraft, which I frequently did after a day of mixed T-33, F084, KC-97, C-47 test flying, I was cruising south of San Antonio and saw a large flock of geese flying in the opposite direction. Without any intention of harassment, I made a gentle 180 to fall in behind them. This didn’t work at all because the flock immediately made a turn to keep me on their broadside. To my shocked surprise, we ended up on each side of a circle which continued for a full 360 degrees, the flock with precision maintaining the opposite degree position. I should have broken away and left them alone, but fascination with their response kept me in contact. Finally, I decided to see the results of a closer approach. To shorten the circle, pulling up to reduce speed and banking steeply, tightens the radius very quickly. The flock started to lose formation and obviously was close to panic. That caused me to come to my senses and break away sharply. My last view of them was in a southerly direction, serenely reformed, and proceeding to their winter destination. It intrigued me that a flock could use this learned response, developed as a defensive maneuver in World War 1. What in nature could teach this conduct? A raptor strike would come from above. One of the mysteries of the air.

2 THE BEACON | Summer/Fall 2018 | Volume 1, Issue 3