This fall when you see geese heading back south for the winter, flying along in a “V” formation, you might be interested in knowing what has been discovered about why they fly that way. It has been learned that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range that if each bird flew on its own.

BASIC TRUTH #1: PEOPLE WHO SHARE A COMMON DIRECTION AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY CAN GET WHERE THEY ARE GOING MORE QUICKLY AND EASILY BECAUSE THEY ARE TRAVELING ON THE THRUST OF ONE ANOTHER.

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.

BASIC TRUTH #2: IF WE HAVE AS MUCH SENSE AS GEESE, WE WILL STAY IN FORMATION WITH THOSE WHO ARE HEADED IN THE SAME WAY WE ARE GOING.

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

BASIC TRUTH #3: IT PAYS TO TAKE TURNS DOING HARD JOBS WITH PEOPLE OR WITH GEESE FLYING SOUTH.

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

BASIC TRUTH #4: WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT WE SAY WHEN WE HONK FROM BEHIND.

Finally, when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow it down to provide help and protection. They stay with it until it is either able to fly or until it dies, and then they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their own group.

BASIC TRUTH #5: WE NEED TO STAND BY EACH OTHER IN GOOD AND TOUGH TIMES.