Learning to Fly - Position 10: The Disembodied Head

Being a series of vignettes aimed at educating the super-powered reader about the various possible permutations of the flight posture.This one isn't for everybody.

In fact, you might need to have extreme shape-shifting abilities. Or be a spaceship. Or maybe even a sentient planet. Or perhaps make a really crazy sacrifice. But if you've got what it takes, there's nothing quite like the look on your enemies' faces when they see YOUR face (and ONLY your face) turn the corner. Great for getting into tight spots your shoulders can't (unless you're a planet, of course), and maneuverability tends to be pretty high.

Variations include straight up telekinetic (preferred) or the "Metamorpho" with exhaust comin' out of your head-ass.

Learning to Fly - Position 9: The Comfy Chair

Being a series of vignettes aimed at educating the super-powered reader about the various possible permutations of the flight posture.For the hero (or villain) with a more, shall we say, relaxed lifestyle, or perhaps a bad back, there's The Comfy Chair. It will allow you to fly the friendly skies in the comfort of your favorite chair. Hopefully, that chair is self-propelled, but you may also move your Lazyboy telekinetically, or if you're a flyer, grip the armrests real hard while you do your thing (that last one kind of defeats the purpose though). Other advantages to this mode of flight include handy chair accessories like communications, hidden storage compartments and a recliner footrest. You may want to install some kind of skylight to fly your magic couch out of the living room to go fight crime (don't forget to press pause on your DVD player first).

Sitting in flight is man's natural position (you've been on an airplane, right?), much more so than the Lotus position, which is murder on the joints. Plus, I just know you're not that flexible.

Learning to Fly - Position 8: Backwards

Being a series of vignettes aimed at educating the super-powered reader about the various possible permutations of the flight posture.Though the position shown above looks a lot like simple Air Diving (Position 2), it's a matter of perspective. Powdered Toast Man actually flies feet first, i.e. backwards. Unusual to be sure, though heroes with 360 degree vision may see this as a viable - and surprising! - alternative to the standard style. Squashed bugs will be on your feet, not on your face, not to mention that pesky dry skin resulting from friction.



And before you think that only PT Man uses it and that it is thus "silly", be aware that it occurs in nature:

So theoretically, it's part of Animal Man's arsenal. And there's nothing "silly" about him.

Learning to Fly - Position 7: Wuxia

Being a series of vignettes aimed at educating the super-powered reader about the various possible permutations of the flight posture.In Chinese wuxia films, the act of flying is often represented by weightless acrobatics and running. Useful for those of us with a light touch of narcolepsy, you'll never be horizontal and suddenly feel the urge to take a power nap. Running and jumping over roof tiles or bamboo forests, the wind in your hair, there'll be no doubt in your mind that this is flying. Don't listen to what other superheroes say. They are plainly wrong.



And look how down to earth you are compared to them. And how frequently you are.

Learning to Fly - Position 6: A Bird! A Plane!

Being a series of vignettes aimed at educating the super-powered reader about the various possible permutations of the flight posture.Seldom seen, though Wonder Girl is a good example of someone who used the airplane/bird style to affect a light, gliding motion in her flight patterns. The idea is to extend one's arms to mimic the aerodynamic quality of animals and objects that commonly fly. After all, they must look like that for a reason, right? Now, when people down below go "It's a bird! It's a plane! It's..." they won't sound like complete pop culture hacks. I know I'd spend a lot of time in Metropolis cracking wise in the background ("It's a missile! It's a rocket!").

Bonus tip: If your powers suddenly give out (and this is one of the 5 most used superhero plots), you can immediately flap your arms to slow down your descent.

Learning to Fly - Position 5: Face First

Being a series of vignettes aimed at educating the super-powered reader about the various possible permutations of the flight posture.Though fists and hands seem to sometimes motivate forward thrust, there are times where it all seems to come from your FEET. Anyone who's ever tried to keep their arms extended for prolonged periods will realize how tough that is on certain chesty-type muscles (it may become obvious that your teacher has very little experience with exercise here). The Face First position saves energy at the cost of negligible drag (especially if your nose is generally pointy) and maybe a few splattered bugs (remember to wash up afterward).

And for those heroes who have invulnerable faces, you can pick up easy momentum when dive bombing foes.

Learning to Fly - Position 4: The Lotus

Being a series of vignettes aimed at educating the super-powered reader about the various possible permutations of the flight posture.A favorite of "enlightened" heroes, who may dabble in "magic" or "mumbo-jumbo", the Lotus position allows for comfortable flying and hovering, while aligning one's chakras and leaving hands free to cast spells, do card tricks or pick sand out of one's third eye.

A popular variant to the pure yoga position is simply "Indian-style" or cross-legged, for those less flexible among us. Sitting as if on an invisible chair is right out. What a ridiculous notion.

Learning to Fly - Position 3: The Stand

Being a series of vignettes aimed at educating the super-powered reader about the various possible permutations of the flight posture.So called not only because of the vertical position, but also because it's damned creepy. As such, it is preferred by such cold creeps as Dr. Fate and the Krypton Man. While there are advantages to this position, such as preventing neck pain and perfecting "hover mode", there are also some drawbacks, like high levels of friction and the risk of ending up with more dead bugs on your person than the front grate of your car after high-speed off-roading in the country.

Learning to Fly - Position 2: Air Diving

Being a series of vignettes aimed at educating the super-powered reader about the various possible permutations of the flight posture.One of the simpler flight postures, Air Diving offers an aerodynamic profile that aims to slice the air with both hands to keep the damn wind out of your face. Turn those flat hands into fists for charging maneuvers. You can see why this would be a favorite. No fuss, no muss, and a combat option thrown in for free.

Learning to Fly - Position 1: Fist on Breast

Being a series of vignettes aimed at educating the super-powered reader about the various possible permutations of the flight posture.A posture that may seem unusual, but was so popularized by Superman and his cousin as to become a classic. This posture uses one hand to direct the flight path and make the body more aerodynamic (less drag means less dishevelment), while still keeping a wound-up punch in reserve. Excellent for the old one-two.
Superheroines will also find that the position provides added support against both drag and gravity.