Aerodynamic Trial

A dried winged maple seed lay lodged in a sidewalk expansion joint. I extracted the specimen using two fingers. Its organic rotor structure remained intact. I climbed the mortar joints of a fieldstone retaining wall, securing footing at an elevation of one meter. Arm extended. Grasp released. The pod dropped six inches before aerodynamic resistance initiated autorotation. It executed continuous revolutions, drifting downward in a tight helical descent until resting upon the curb. Flight stability verified without propulsion.