ver wonder why geese always fly in a V formation? Or if we can learn anything from them?

One thing we do know is that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately behind it. In fact, by flying in the V formation, the whole flock can travel 70% further than if each bird flew on its own.

• The lesson for us? People who share a common direction and sense of community can get there more quickly and easily because they are travelling on the thrust of one another.

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to do it alone, and quickly falls back into formation to take advantage of the draught.

• When we're all heading in the same direction anyway, why not use the momentum of others?

When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back in wing and another goose flies point.

• It pays to take turns doing hard jobs.

The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

• How do we honk from behind? Do we remember to do so?

Finally, if a goose gets sick (or is wounded by gunshot) and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay there until either it can fly again or it dies; they then launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with the group

• If we had as much sense, we would stand by each other like that.

  --from Rapport, the newsletter of the Technical Service Council, edited by Silva Grad Paul Koellner.