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A Sub-Trope of Blow You Away, in which the character generates powerful wind currents by strongly flapping his or her wings like large fans in the desired direction. This form of wind manipulation is usually limited to powerful, directional gales, although generating other standard wind techniques (tornadoes, Razor Wind, etc.) with this method isn't unheard of. Characters who fly using propellers can perform similar maneuvers by pointing their rotors at their targets and spinning them very quickly (Although they'll generally go for the Helicopter Blender, with all of its own kettle of worms).

This is a another case of Artistic License Physics; while it's true that flapping one's wings should create a noticeable gust (which is typically a central element of winged flight), that character usually should not be able to remain stationary, especially if already airborne. Unless the character is especially massive or firmly held in place, conservation of momentum says that the character should be pushed in the opposite drection to cancel out the air's newfound velocity (which is, again, typically a central element of winged flight). Given many writers' stances on physical laws of conservation, though, the fact that the characters don't fly backwards with each flap isn't very surprising.

This is a staple technique of the Giant Flyer and Winged Humanoid. Even characters with otherwise Stationary Wings will flap them to generate wind this way. If power gave the character wings, large, heavenly gales can be used to demonstrate just how powerful the character is.


Examples:

Anime[]

  • In the Pokémon anime, some Flying-type moves such as Gust and Whirlwind are shown to work this way when used by winged Mons. As most winged mons can learn the Fire-type move Heat Wave (a blast of hot air), it can be presumed that it operates similarly.
  • A hawk from Kimba the White Lion attacked Kimba by using this technique.


Film[]

Live Action TV[]

  • Physics are followed (for the most part) in Warehouse13, where Daedelus's wax wings generate their own lift for flight.
  • In Kamen Rider Ryuki, Kamen Rider Femme's Finishing Move involves her swan Bond Creature Blancwing blowing her enemies off their feet like this, Femme following up by attacking them with her double-ended polearm while they're helpless. Knight Survive's Darkraider has a similar special attack, but rather than flapping it generates winds from the wheels/turbines on its wings. This obviously also applies to Siren and Wing Knight, their American counterparts from Kamen Rider Dragon Knight.
  • Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: This was one of the special tricks of Monster of the Week King Sphinx. Mutitus form II and the Peckster can also do it but to a lesser extent.

Comic Books[]

  • Played with: While she does not actually possess wings, Storm has, among others, the ability to hurl gusts of wind in any direction, and usually wears a unique cape attached to her arms. When she uses this power wearing one of these attached 'wing-capes,' it creates the same visual effect.
    • Her teammate Angel has sometimes been known to do this, when he has feathered wings.

Tabletop Games[]

  • A standard ability of various dragons in Dungeons and Dragons, as well as the various CRPGs derived from the ruleset.

Video Games[]

Western Animation[]

  • The (unnamed) Roc in the Popeye cartoon, Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad the Sailor could do this.
  • Appa, the 10-ton Sky Bison of Avatar: The Last Airbender, has done this a couple of times with his beaver-like tail, which he uses ordinarily to "swim" through air.
  • Smaug the dragon in the animated version of The Hobbit declares "My wings... are... hurricanes!" and creates gale-force winds with them to frighten and humble Bilbo Baggins.
  • Utter Flutter, the special magic of the Flutter Ponies from the original My Little Pony cartoon. It is the only thing that can push back and destroy Smooze. It also reduced the shadow-stealing sorcerer Erebus to almost nothing.