I am sure many fellow RC soarers will have marvelled at the grace and beauty of many soaring birds.  One such bird is the pelican. Its big, looks quite animated, friendly, awkward on land, very ungainly on landing with feet out skiing to a halt, but with just a few powerful flaps becomes airborne and can roost on a pylon.

 When it’s come to soaring this unusual looking bird spreads its 3 meter wings, folds its long neck and legs into an aerodynamic package and can thermal with the best. Pelicans often fly in a “V” formation.

 Oh, a wondrous bird is the pelican!
His bill holds more than his belican.
He can take in his beak
Enough food for a week.
But I'm darned if I know how the helican."
Dixon Lanier Merritt
(1879-1972)

Australian Pelicans weigh 4.0-8kg, are 1.6-1.8m long. Pelicans have large wings and a wingspan of 2.5-3.4m. They have an extremely light skeleton, weighing less than 10% of their total body weight.

The Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus is found throughout Australia, Papua New Guinea and western Indonesia, with occasional reports in New Zealand and various western Pacific islands. In Australia it is widespread on freshwater, estuarine and marine wetlands and waterways including lakes, swamps, rivers, coastal islands and shores.

Pelicans are highly mobile, searching out suitable areas of water and an adequate supply of food. Pelicans are not capable of sustained flapping flight, but can remain in the air for 24 hours, covering hundreds of kilometres. They are excellent soarers and can use thermals to rise to considerable altitudes. Flight at 1,000m is common, and heights of 3,000m have been recorded. By moving from one thermal to the next, pelicans can travel long distances with a minimum of effort, reaching air speeds of up to 56km/hour.