Vol (heraldry)

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A vol (French for "flight") is a heraldic symbol consisting of a pair of outstretched, usually plumed bird's wings, which are connected together at their shoulders without having any bird's body in the middle.[1] This was formerly popular in crests, especially in Germanic heraldry, but has found popularity outside heraldry in more recent times with its use as insignia in aviation.

The French Armée de l'Air, one of the world's first air forces, adopted a vol for its cap badge, rather than the eagle used by many other air forces. In France, the eagle is associated with the Napoleonic Empire.