It is not only gliders we see flying at the airfield at Santa Cilia in Spain.
Here are four other types of flight.
Helicopter
The Spanish army brought their helicopter for the troops to practise abseiling down from 50 feet up. They all managed it successfully and the ambulance on standby was not required.
Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia)
This is Europe’s largest moth, known as the Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia). This is a male. The caterpillars are hairy and have orange dots or bands on them.
An Autogyro
These differ from helicopters because the rotor is not powered by the engine, it rotates by windmilling. They were invented by a Spaniard, Juan de la Cierva in 1923. The best known example is “Little Nellie” which flew a dramatic sequence in James Bond – You Only Live Twice (1967).
Red Kite – Milvus milvus
These do not fly as high as Griffon Vultures. They are recognised by their wedge shaped tail. Someone made a glider with “Fingers” at the wingtips like many birds of prey have. It was not successful.
Post Series: Gliding Holiday in Spain, by Mike Sedgwick:
[…] be so peaceful up there. There are times, like today, when the air is buoyant and you have time to relax and enjoy. Other times you have to be concentrating hard. Have I enough height to clear that ridge safely? Do […]