Quote:
Originally Posted by bloodhound31
Yes, Obviously. But let's just say there was atmosphere and no gravity.
E.G. There is atmosphere and micro (nearly none) gravity in the International Space Station.
Could a bird actually still maneuverer in this environment? What would change?
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I don't believe that I would have any trouble flying an aerobatic RC plane (a 3D/4D model) in zero G, that's because it uses a symmetrical aerofoil, and a center of gravity (CG) along the longitudinal axis. All I would be doing is using a small amount of thrust. It would behave very similar to a low powered vertical dive with the CG on the neutral point...no sweat!
If I used a glider I would have the nose trimmed so far forward (down) that thrust angles might cause forward tumbles. Also, the weight in the wings would cause huge moment forces in relation to the amount of air-speed I would have available (rotational mass versus air loads)...so to roll-into and out-of a turn would be insanely difficult...but not impossible.
Birds would still be able to fly however, I believe that they would literally crash into everything, in that they would retain propulsion but would have limited control if any AND their aerofoil camber would work against them, causing them to constantly climb.
Birds don't have the ability to understand what's going on and thus compensate by altering the way in which they fly; they would continually try to fly as per normal, constantly assuming gravity is there to work against.
The biggest issue would be vertigo and disorientation.
The bird with the greatest chance of success, in my opinion, would be small, highly agile, very light-weight, light wings, and accustom to aerobatic flight (tight turns)...swallows are the Kings of the sky.
A bird possibly capable of compensating and altering it's flight might be a Peregrine Falcon; they dive, are accustom to inverted flight and often experience weightless conditions when recovering from tumbles when taking down prey.