An analysis of the flight of the Cretaceous pterodactyl Pteranodon ingens (March)

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Abstract
Synopsis: The strength of the humerus of P. ingens has been calculated and it is shown to have been capable of supporting a weight of 49 kg. An estimate of the average weight of mature individuals of this species has been made and the figure of 22.7 kg suggests that the humerus had a safety factor of about 4.3 in level gliding flight. This was sufficient to enable the animal to bank to an angle of 75° and allowed a minimum horizontal turning circle of radius 11.4 metres. The relationship between flying speed and sinking speed has been computed and a comparison made between the performance of this pterosaur and published data on fulmars and a typical man-made glider. It is shown from a calculation of the volume of muscle required for hovering flight that because of the inertia of the wings, P. ingens was unable to take to the air without the assistance of a prevailing wind. The supraoccipital crest is shown to have been adapted for controlling yawing movements while reducing the torque on the neck muscles. Pteranodon was well suited to thermal soaring.

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