Rising Tide Images
Takeoff Roll
Airborne albatrosses are masters of dynamic soaring requiring little metabolic energy or wing flapping. But they are also large, heavy birds that require a lot of airspeed under a six-foot, high aspect ratio wingspan to initially get off the ground. On a sufficiently windy day they can leap into the air for an effortless liftoff. With no wind, a high-powered running takeoff is required. This takeoff run is a significant amount of the albatross’ daily energy demand, far more than flight duration or flight distance.
Takeoff Roll
Airborne albatrosses are masters of dynamic soaring requiring little metabolic energy or wing flapping. But they are also large, heavy birds that require a lot of airspeed under a six-foot, high aspect ratio wingspan to initially get off the ground. On a sufficiently windy day they can leap into the air for an effortless liftoff. With no wind, a high-powered running takeoff is required. This takeoff run is a significant amount of the albatross’ daily energy demand, far more than flight duration or flight distance.