Ian Stokes edited k.tex  over 9 years ago

Commit id: 0a49c4e34484d909d3c164376550a5cb77074953

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$\tan$( $\theta$ ) =$\ C_{D}$/$\ C_{L}$.   I will refer to this as the glide angle equation. From this expression we can easily formulate an equation that gives the work done by a pelican flying at a constant altitude$\ W_{p}$ as a function of distance using the definition of potential energy,$\ U = mga$. If we label the altitude lost while gliding under constant velocity descent as$\ a_{l}$ and the distance travelled in the horizontal xy plane as$\ d_{trav}$, we obtain the work equation for a pelican (mass M_{p}) pelican, mass M_{p},  flying independent of ocean swell. $\ W_{p} = M_{p}a_{l}g = M_{p}g(d_{trav})[(C_{D}/C_{L})]$ 

      Sources Cited:  Burton, R. (1990). Bird Flight, Facts on File. New York.