Line #136 Main/TokenFlyer


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4	[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/TheLionGuard https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/flyer.png]]]]
5	[[caption-width-right:350:[[CaptainObvious The one up top]].]]
6	->''"I'm so glad someone on our team can fly!"''
7	-->-- '''Red Alert''', ''WesternAnimation/TransformersWarForCybertronTrilogy'', "Earthrise: Episode 1"
8
9	When coming up with an ensemble, it can be very useful to [[SuperheroSpeciation to give them different areas of specialty]]. You have your [[SuperStrength strong man]], your [[SuperSpeed speedster]], your BadassNormal, your {{psychic\|Powers}}, etc. And then you have your Token Flyer.
10
11	The Token Flyer may or may not have flight as their sole super power but they are the only member of the team capable of flying unaided. Depending on how well this is executed, [[HeartIsAnAwesomePower they can be shown as having advantages over their team mates]], such as superior mobility, being able to see further by flying high or having a better way to escape. [[ThisLooksLikeAJobForAquaman Expect this character to be very useful for situations which flight is vital]].
12
13	The Token Flyer trope applies in one of three ways:
14
15	* They are the only person in the cast who can fly, either due to innate superpowers or possessing external means that grant them flight.
16	* While other members of the cast can get airborne, the Token Flyer is the only one with the innate ability to fly. For example, one or more cast members can fly via {{Jet Pack}}s while the Token Flyer is the only one who has flight as a power or one of their powers.
17	* The other flyer on the team might have limited or NotQuiteFlight.
18
19	Issues can spring up if the group membership changes -- if all Alice can do is fly, then Bob the FlyingBrick joining can make Alice look redundant. Writers generally get around this by upgrading Alice in other areas to justify her staying on the team.
20
21	{{Flight}} can be a pretty awesome power to depict visually, especially in a fight. This can make the Token Flyer seem special. In some settings, the power of flight can be depicted as rare or unique.
22
23	In a show with a FunnyAnimal cast, the token flyer character will probably be a bird, bat, or flying insect, while a cast of prehistoric animals might use a pterosaur or archaeopteryx instead.
24
25	Contrast with IBelieveICanFly where the power of flight is quite common. [[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant Not to be confused with]] those little one-page pamphlets.
26
27	----
28	!!Examples:
29	[[foldercontrol]]
30
31	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
32	* ''Anime/DinoZaurs'': Dino Ptera is the only flier among the main Dino Knights. This also applies to Drago Dactyl, Ptera's counterpart among the [[PsychoRangers Drago Clones.]]
33	* ''Anime/MarvelAnimeXMen'': Storm's WeatherManipulation powers make her the only flyer in a team composed of herself, [[EyeBeams Cyclops]], [[WolverineClaws Wolverine]], [[InstantArmor Armor]], [[BeastMan Beast] and [[{{Telepathy}} Emma]] [[CarbonSkin Frost.]]
34	* ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'' has a tradition where Ash always catches one of the [[ComMon local flying bird Pokémon]] in each region he visits.
35	** Pidgeotto is this during the Kanto Portion of the ''Anime/PokemonTheOriginalSeries'', being such a token that it doesn't even evolve into Pidgeot until its final episode with Ash. [[note]] Pidgeot eventually comes back in Pokemon Journeys.[[/note]] During the Johto portion of the original series, Ash catches a Noctowl. Said Noctowl is also unique because it's the only Pokémon Ash ever caught that was Shiny.
36	** Swellow comes in for ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesRubyAndSapphire'', being the first Pokemon Ash catches in the new region and filling the role quite well. Unlike Pidgeotto and Noctowl, however, Swellow was also a powerful battler in its own right.
37	** Staraptor is the first Pokémon Ash catches in ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesDiamondAndPearl'', which he caught so that it could help find Pikachu who got separated from Ash because of Team Rocket.
38	** Once Again, Ash's first capture of the region in ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesBlackAndWhite'' is Unfezant, which fills this description like the others.
39	** Continuing the trend, ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesXY'' has Ash catch a Talonflame as his second Pokémon in the Kalos region.
40	** ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesSunAndMoon'' actually subverted the formula somewhat. While Ash still has a bird Pokémon in his roster, said Pokémon is the Grass type starter Rowlet instead of the local bird Toucannon. As such, Alola is the only region in the anime where Ash didn't catch the regional bird Pokémon.
41	* ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'': Crow's [[CoolBike Duel Runner]] has a flight mode unlike the others.
42	* ''Anime/ZoidsNewCentury'': Jamie's Ptera Striker and Raynos are the Blitz Team's only flying zoids.
43	[[/folder]]
44
45	[[folder:Asian Animation]]
46	* ''Animation/BoBoiBoy'': Yaya is the sole member of the KidHero group[[note]] Not including the titular character's [[ElementalPowers elemental]] [[LiteralSplitPersonality counterparts]] who can fly ([[BlowYouAway Wind]]) or levitate ([[PlayingWithFire Fire]] and [[LightEmUp Solar]]), nor [[TheLancer Fang's]] secondary [[CastingAShadow shadow animal]] forms which can grant him flight. [[/note]] who directly possesses the power of flight, as well as super strength, later summed up as her being a GravityMaster.
47	[[/folder]]
48
49	[[folder:Comic Books]]
50	* ''Franchise/TheDCU'':
51	** ''ComicBook/{{Checkmate}}'': [[FlyingFirepower Fire]] is this for the Black Side while Vertigo is this for the White Side.
52	** ''ComicBook/DoomPatrol'': Of the original three members, Negative Man was the only member who could fly.
53	** ''ComicBook/TeenTitans'': The original four Titans consisted of Robin, Kid Flash, Aqualad and Wonder Girl. Wonder Girl was the only one with the power of innate flight.
54	* ''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'':
55	** ''ComicBook/TheAvengers'': The original line-up provided an interesting take on this trope. Technically, ''all'' the members weren't limited to staying on the ground. Iron Man and the Wasp could fly, Ant-Man could get around by riding on winged ants, Thor could throw his hammer and hang on to the strap and be pulled along, and the Hulk could take giant leaps. Later, when the line-up was Captain America, Hercules, Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and the Scarlet Witch, ''none'' of them could fly.
56	** ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'': The Human Torch is the only member of the team who can fly. His sister, the Invisible Woman, is sometimes depicted as being able to travel short distances [[NotQuiteFlight by riding on her force fields]] but doesn't do this as often.
57	** ''ComicBook/PowerPack'': Flying is the main power associated with the Velocity Powers, which Julie has most of the time. The 4 kids tend to switch powers however, so the role of the Token Flyer has been held by all four of them at least once.
58	** ''ComicBook/{{Runaways}}: Karolina Dean can fly as part of her Majesdanian powers. This was averted during the brief time Xavin was part of the group, since they could fly too.
59	** ''ComicBook/{{Slingers}}'': The team consists of Prodigy who possesses superhuman strength, Ricochet who is superhumanly agile, Dusk who possesses [[CastingAShadow shadow powers]] and Hornet whose suit comes with a JetPack that grants him flight.
60	** ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': The original incarnation of the Sinister Six consisted of Dr. Octopus, Electro, Kraven the Hunter, Vulture, Mysterio and Sandman. Electro was the only one who could fly under his own power. Vulture needed his electromagnetic harness to fly.
61	** ''ComicBook/XMen'':
62	*** The original five X-Men had Angel, whose only power was flight via his wings. Over time, more X-Men with flight (and other powers) were added to the group and Angel's powerset has needed to be expanded to avoid redundancy.
63	*** ''ComicBook/NewMutants'': Cannonball was this for the team before Sunspot's powerset was upgraded to include flight.
64	*** ''ComicBook/GenerationX'': Monet St. Croix is the only one of the kids who can fly.
65	* ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics'': Predator Hawk is the only member of the Destructix who can fly. Despite what his name suggests, Flying Frog [[NotQuiteFlight can only glide not fly.]]
66	* ''ComicBook/{{WITCH}}'': Hay-Lin is the only one of the Guardians who can fly, using the power of air. The Guardians have [[WingsDoNothing wings that do nothing]]. This is averted in the [[WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}} animated series]] where the Guardians' wings do provide them with flight.
67	[[/folder]]
68
69	[[folder:FanWorks]]
70	* ''Fanfic/WithThisRing'': Defied. In ''Young Justice'' canon, Miss Martian was originally the only team member who could fly, but here, Paul makes copies of Rocket's kinetic belt for everyone. Rocket is taken aback to find out that everyone now has the same powerset as her, but Paul reassures her that she's still more experienced at using the belt and it's too useful to restrict to just one person.
71	[[/folder]]
72
73	[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
74	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Antz}}'': Colonel Cutter is the only ant shown in the movie with wings. He is TheDragon for most of the film but pulls a HeelFaceTurn towards the end.
75	* ''WesternAnimation/BigHero6'': Baymax is the only member of the titular team capable of flight when in his outfit.
76	* ''WesternAnimation/TheLandBeforeTime'': Petrie is the flyer of the gang, being a pterosaur.
77	* ''Franchise/TheLionKing'': While he doesn't do much in the films, Zazu is the only bird character among the main cast of animals.
78	* ''WesternAnimation/WereBackADinosaursStory'': Elsa the ''Pteranodon'' is the only major character who can fly (not counting Vorb, who can fly thanks to the propeller on his suit).
79	[[/folder]]
80
81	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
82	* ''Franchise/{{Godzilla}}'':
83	** ''Film/GhidorahTheThreeHeadedMonster'': of the three kaiju that take on Ghidorah, Rodan is the only flyer (Mothra is still in her larval form for the duration of the film).
84	** ''Film/Godzilla2014'': this time, Hokmuto is the only flyer, with Femuto and Godzilla stuck on the ground.
85	** Completely inverted in both ''Film/GodzillaAndMothraTheBattleForEarth'' and ''Film/GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters2019'': Godzilla is the only non-flyer of the main monsters.
86	* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse:
87	** ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'': Vision is the only Avenger in this film with the innate ability to fly. The only other two Avengers who can fly, Thor and Iron Man, need external means to get airborne; Thor uses [[PowersViaWeapon Mjölnir]] while Iron Man uses his PoweredArmor.
88	** ''Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier'': Falcon is the aerial member of Steve's group, using a JetPack with wings.
89	** ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar'': Once again, Falcon is the Token Flyer in a team led by Steve. It consists of Captain America, Bucky, Ant-Man, Falcon, Hawkeye, and Scarlet Witch.
90	** ''Film/{{Eternals}}'': Ikaris is the only flyer of the Eternals, which causes some problems [[spoiler:when his [[KnightTemplar fanatical devotion to Arishem's will]] leads him to turn on the other Eternals, as he has a clear advantage over them in the final battle.]]
91	* ''Film/{{Fantastic Four\|2005}}'' and ''Film/FantasticFourRiseOfTheSilverSurfer'': Johnny is the only one among the Four who can fly under his own power. Even when they get the [[FlyingCar Fantasticar]] in the second movie, Johnny prefers to fly on his own.
92	* ''Film/PacificRim'': [[spoiler: Otachi]] is the only {{Kaiju}} with the ability to fly, in addition to the rest of her SuperpowerLottery ([[spoiler: a prehensile tail and tongue coupled with ItCanThink and HollywoodAcid spit]])
93	* ''Film/SkyHigh'': Will [[SuperpowerfulGenetics inherits]] his father's SuperStrength and his mother's {{Flight}}. He is the only flyer among his group of friends.
94
95	[[/folder]]
96
97	[[folder:Literature]]
98	* ''Literature/AccelWorld'':
99	** As [[WingedHumanoid Silver Crow]], Haru is the only member of Nega Nebulus with true sustained flight; duel avatars are [[PersonalityPowers shaped by the user's subconscious fears and desires]], and Haru envying the freedom of the birds outside his window led him to be the first to manifest such a power. This is one of the factors contributing to his status as a WeirdnessMagnet, both forcing him to break away from the team more often, and leading other characters to seek him out (either because they need the assistance of a flier, or [[PowerParasite want to steal his rare power for themselves]]).
100	** In the team's previous incarnation this role was filled by Sky Raker, an avatar with a high-output JumpJetpack; her use of this to drop high-firepower teammates behind enemy lines lead to her [[RedBaron earning the nickname of]] "the ICBM". It's eventually revealed that while Crow's wings let him fly through the air, Raker's jetpack is primarily designed for mobility in ''space''; she was born without legs in real life, and her subconscious modelled her avatar's abilities on a novel she loved as a child - one where future humans living in zero gravity had evolved past the need for lower limbs. After Raker rejoins the team, she takes over as the team's TokenFlyer on the rare occasion that they're fighting in space.
101	* ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'': Due to being [[ShapeshifterModeLock stuck in hawk morph]], Tobias is the best of the team at flying, even if they can all turn into birds. Once he regains the ability to morph, he can finally join the team in missions again, but his default body remains a hawk. Throughout the series, if one character is flying lookout or scouting while the others are occupied, it's very nearly always Tobias.
102	* In ''{{Literature/Dinoverse}}'', only Janine is able to fly, although she has to [[HowDoIShotWeb painstakingly learn]] and is quite taken by TheJoyOfFirstFlight. Then, because flight is a StoryBreakerPower for the other characters' problems, she has to be away from the others or rendered flightless for the rest of the series. Notably, none of the later kids [[TrappedInThePast cast back in time]] and into the bodies of prehistoric beasts are capable of flight at all.
103	* ''Literature/TheRailwaySeries'' has Harold the Helicopter, the only air vehicle amongst a cast of locomotives and road vehicles.
104	* ''Literature/TheSecretsOfDroon'': Julie gets the power of flight about halfway through the series, after becoming a [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent wingwolf]].[[note]]She also [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands becomes a shapeshifter]], though doesn't find out until later.[[/note]] This becomes less impressive when [[spoiler:Neal]] becomes a [[OurGeniesAreDifferent genie]], who can fly, time travel, and do pretty much any magic a wizard can do.
105	[[/folder]]
106
107	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
108	* ''Series/AceLightning'': Ace is the only one of the three Lightning Knights who can fly under his own power. Sparks has a [[FlyingCar flying bike]] and Random Virus doesn't have any flight abilities or vehicles.
109	* ''Series/TheBoys2019'': Homelander is the only Supe in the setting with the power of flight [[note]]This was not the case in [[ComicBook/TheBoys the comics]][[/note]] . Stormfront [[NotQuiteFlight can propel herself]] with her [[ShockAndAwe lightning powers]] and cannot freely levitate like Homelander can.
110	* ''Series/Charmed1998'': Phoebe Halliwell is the only one of her sisters to possess the ability to levitate and hence fly certain distances.
111	* ''Franchise/PowerRangers'':
112	** ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'': Kimberly's Pterodayctyl [[AnimalMecha Zord]] was the only one of the Dinozords that could fly. This was subverted when the Rangers upgraded to the Thunderzords and Ninjazords which had one additional flyer in addition to Kimberly's consistent aerial-themed Zords.
113	** ''Series/PowerRangersZeo'': Tommy's Zord is based on ThePhoenix and is the only one of the main Zords capable of flight.
114	** ''Series/PowerRangersTurbo'': The Rangers have a number of vehicles in this season. One of them is Lightning Cruiser, a sentient car driven by TJ which can fly. It is the only vehicle in this season with flight capabilities.
115	** ''Series/PowerRangersInSpace'': All the Rangers have [[SkySurfing Galaxy Gliders]] but Andros is the only one who can fly without one thanks to his [[PoweredArmor Battilizer]].
116	** ''Series/PowerRangersLostGalaxy'': Damon's Condor Galactabeast serves this function among the Rangers' main five Zords.
117	** ''Series/PowerRangersLightspeedRescue'': Joel was an aerial stuntman before becoming a Ranger. It is fitting that his Zord is the only aerial vehicle among the main five. Later, the Rangers are joined by [[SixthRanger Ryan]] whose Zord can take the form of an air-and-space vehicle.
118	** ''Series/PowerRangersTimeForce'': [[SixthRanger Eric's]] SuperMode grants him flight which none of the other Rangers have.
119	** ''Series/PowerRangersWildForce'':
120	*** Taylor's Eagle Zord is the only one of the main five Zords based on a flying animal. [[IfItSwimsItFlies Max's Shark Zord is capable of flight as well but is really more of a creature of the sea than the sky]]. Taylor is also capable of flight in Ranger mode by deploying a set of wings under her arms. Cole does gain the ability to fly but only in his SuperMode.
121	*** The Eagle Zord also serves as the Token Flyer in the Zord system that makes up the Kongazord with the other Zords being a gorilla, a black bear, a polar bear and a bison.
122	*** Cole's Falcon Zord is the only avian creature among the five Zords that form the Isis Megazord.
123	*** Merrick's three Zords are the wolf, the alligator and the hammerhead shark. The hammerhead can swim and fly while the other two move on the ground.
124	** ''Series/PowerRangersSPD'': Sky's Delta Runner is a futuristic gyrocopter while the other four Rangers have ground-based Delta Runners.
125	** ''Series/PowerRangersOperationOverdrive'': Dax's Gyro Driver is a gyrocopter and the only one of the main Zords that flies.
126	** ''Series/PowerRangersDinoCharge'': Sir Ivan's Pterodactylf Zord is the only flying Zord in Dino Charge.
127	** ''Series/PowerRangersNinjaSteel'': Preston's Dragon Zord serves this role for the main Ranger Zords.
128	[[/folder]]
129
130	[[folder:Toys]]
131	* ''{{Toys/BIONICLE}}'':
132	** Lewa of the Toa Mata and later Toa Nuva team has [[NotQuiteFlight the Mask of Leviatation]] and [[BlowYouAway Air elemental powers]]. His upgraded mask does [[SuperEmpowering share his power]] with others.
133	** Matau of the Toa Metru (also a Toa of Air) could use his areo slicers as wings. In ''Legends of Metru Nui'', he's overjoyed to find out that he can -- [[WatchOutForThatTree SMACK!]] -- [[WeWillUseWikiWordsInTheFuture wind... fly...]] as a [[RetiredBadass Turaga]], Matau can no longer do so, as his powers are considerably weaker and he has long since ditched his aero slicers for his [[ChainsawGood Kau Kau Staff]].
134	** Nuparu as part of the Toa Inika group had the Mask of Flight, ironic for a Toa of [[DishingOutDirt Earth]], instead of Kongu, Toa of Air.
135	* ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'':
136	** ''Franchise/TransformersGeneration1'':
137	*** Swoop is the only member of the Dinobots that can fly since he is a Pteranodon while the others are land-based dinosaurs.
138	*** The Protectobots have Blades, who transforms into a rescue helicopter. The other four Protectobots transform into land-based vehicles.
139	*** Divebomb transforms into a robotic eagle and is the only only one of the G1 Predacons with an aerial alt mode.
140	*** Cutthroat transforms into a robotic bird monster and is the only flight-capable G1 Terrorcon.
141	*** Mindwipe, transforming into a bat, is the only flyer among the Decepticon Headmaster trio, with the other two turning into land-based animals.
142	*** The Triggerbot and Triggercon trios both have one plane-former each, Dogfight and Windsweeper respectively, with the other two members of each group turning into ground vehicles.
143	** ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'': Before Airazor and Silverbolt joined the team, Optimus Primal was the only Maximal who could fly. Ironically, his alt mode is a gorilla which is not a flying creature and he could only fly in robot mode.
144	** ''Anime/TransformersRobotsInDisguise'': Ultra Magnus is the only Autobot in the series who can fly. This is even commented on by Scourge in his first fight with the Decepticons.
145	** ''Anime/TransformersArmada'': Jetfire is the only flight-capable Autobot in the series. [[Anime/TransformersEnergon The]] [[Anime/TransformersCybertron sequels]] add other flying Autobots such as Wing Saber and Evac.
146	** ''Film/TransformersFilmSeries'':
147	*** ''Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen'': The ex-Decepticon Jetfire is the only Autobot with an aerial alt mode. In the film's climax, he sacrifices himself so that Optimus Prime can use his parts to defeat [[BigBad The Fallen]].
148	*** ''Film/TransformersDarkOfTheMoon'': None of the Autobots have a flight-based alt mode but Optimus's truck can transform into a JetPack.
149	*** ''Film/TransformersAgeOfExtinction'': Drift is the only Autobot with a flying alternate mode, although he only uses it twice in the film and it's never seen or mentioned again. Optimus does become capable of flight near the end of the film. Strafe is a straighter example, filling Swoop's role as the Dinobots' resident flyer.
150	*** ''Film/TransformersRiseOfTheBeasts'': Each Transformers faction has exactly one member who can fly; For the Autobots it's Stratosphere, who turns into an airplane, the Maximals have Airazor the falcon, while the Terrorcons have Nightbird, who flies using a JetPack.
151	** ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'':
152	*** Initially, none of the main five Autobots can fly but Optimus Prime and Prowl both get upgrades that allow them to fly. [[spoiler:In the final episode, Prowl [[HeroicSacrifice dies saving Detroit]] leaving Optimus as the only Autobot main character who can fly]].
153	*** Jetfire and Jetstorm are the first Autobots in this setting to be granted the power of flight. They serve as the Token Flyers to the Elite Guard.
154	** ''WesternAnimation/TransformersRescueBots'': Blades is the only member of the team to have a flying vehicle mode, in the form of a helicopter -- though he only gained it after they arrived on Earth (and he turns out to be [[IronicFear afraid of heights]]). While several new Autobots are introduced over the series, none of them can turn into flying vehicles, keeping Blades unique. In season 3, the team gain the ability to transform into dinobot forms, with Blades still being the only one whose new form (a pterodactyl) can fly.
155	** ''WesternAnimation/TransformersRescueBotsAcademy'': Of the Rescue Bot trainees, Whirl is the only one lacking a ground-based vehicle mode. Like Blades, she becomes a helicopter.
156	** ''WesternAnimation/TransformersWarForCybertronTrilogy'': Jetfire defects from the Decepticons and joins the Autobots as their singular aerial member. One Autobot in season 2 even expresses gratitude that at least one of them can fly.
157	[[/folder]]
158
159	[[folder:Video Games]]
160	* ''VideoGame/BatenKaitos'' inverts it. Almost everyone can fly in this world, but one party member per game can't, which serves as a HandWave for not letting the rest make a DungeonBypass.
161	** ''VideoGame/BatenKaitosEternalWingsAndTheLostOcean'': Citizens of TheEmpire do not have Wings of the Heart for reasons shown in ''Origins'', and the party member Lyude is no exception.
162	** ''VideoGame/BatenKaitosOrigins'': Guillo doesn't have Wings and thus can't fly due to not being human, but rather a magical "puppet" of sorts.
163	* ''VideoGame/BugFables'': Vi is the only member of Team Snakemouth who is capable of actual flight[[note]]As Kabbu and Leif, the other two members, have [[WingsDoNothing non-functional wings]], and while Leif is capable of creating a hovering ice platform, he only does so to carry the co-travelers along when Vi starts flying[[/note]]. She normally does it only in the cutscenes [[spoiler:until Forsaken Lands, where Queen Elizant orders Vi to start carrying others around, allowing the team to fly over gaps.]]
164	* ''VideoGame/CutTheRope'': Roto is the only Nommie who can fly.
165	* ''VideoGame/InjusticeGodsAmongUs'':
166	** Lex Luthor is the only member of the Insurgency who can fly thanks to his Powered Armor. This stands in contrast to the Regime, most of whom have the innate ability to fly.
167	** Wonder Woman is the only one among the five Leaguers originally brought in from the main universe with flight as an innate power. Green Lantern can fly but only because of his RingOfPower.
168	* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfDragoon'': While all party member can fly in their [[HenshinHero Dragoon forms]], it's mentioned that it's very hard to transform outside of battle. It leaves [[spoiler:Meru, the Water Dragoon]], secretly a Wingly, the only one who can fly normally after revealing the secret. It comes in handy when scouting some areas.
169	* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'': Among the five Champions, Revali (being a bird-like Rito) was the only one capable of unassisted flight, which became important during Ganon's invasion 100 years ago: the Champions had been accompanying Zelda to Mount Lanyaru when it began but were able to assess the situation quickly thanks to Revali's scouting from the air. Revali is also this to the Rito as a whole. Most Rito can only glide, but Revali can create updrafts wherever he is.
170	* ''VideoGame/MonsterBoyAndTheCursedKingdom'': The Dragon Form is the only one of Jin's forms that is able to fly. That it is also very powerful makes it quite a versatile form to take, offering excellent mobility and strong attacks.
171	* ''VideoGame/Pikmin3'' introduces Winged Pikmin, a species of Pikmin that can fly as opposed to their land-based brethren. Although they are not as strong in combat as other species of Pikmin, excluding fighting airborne enemies, they are extremely useful for solving and most often bypassing puzzles throughout the game as they can carry objects in the air without having to worry about most obstacles and enemies.
172	* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'':
173	** Most games have one designated flying character for each trio in the post-Dreamcast era. The main trio, Team Sonic, has Tails as their designated flyer, with Knuckles mostly possessing the ability to glide instead. Team Dark has Rouge, Team Rose has Cream and Team Chaotix has Charmy.
174	** ''VideoGame/SonicRiders'': The Babylon Rogues consist of Jet the Hawk, Wave the Swallow and Storm the Albatross. While all three are birds, Wave is the only one considered a flight-type due to her [[HoverBoard Extreme Gear]] possessing at least limited flight capabilities.
175	** ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006'': Sonic, Shadow and Silver are all capable of flight in SuperMode. However, Silver is the only one of the three hedgehogs who can fly in normal mode thanks to his telekinesis.
176	* ''VideoGame/SpiderManPS4'': The Sinister Six consists of Doctor Octopus, Rhino, Scorpion, Electro, Vulture and Mister Negative. Both Electro and Vulture can fly, however, Electro's powers of flight are an innate part of his [[ShockAndAwe powerset]] while Vulture relies on a JetPack.
177	* ''VideoGame/SpiderMan2TheSinisterSix'': The eponymous Sinister Six consists of Doctor Octopus, Mysterio, the Sandman, the Vulture, the Scorpion, and Kraven the Hunter. The Vulture serves as the Token Flyer.
178	* ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'':
179	** ''VideoGame/TalesOfPhantasia'': Arche can fly on her broom, and at one point uses it to carry the party to a balcony of a castle. She also can retrieve several otherwise-inaccessible treasure chests.
180	** ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'': Early on, Colette gains the ability to summon functional angel wings. She uses them a couple of times to get the party through a place designed to be accessible only for flyers. Otherwise, though, she's a huge AcrophobicBird.
181	* ''VideoGame/Titanfall2'': A villainous version. The [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Apex Predators]] have one pilot of each (multiplayer) Titan class. One of those classes, the Northstar can normally only hover, but Viper has upgraded his to be able to soar through the skies, taking down entire ships with relative ease. In ''Videogame/ApexLegends'' his daughter Valkyrie salvages his Northstar to turn it into a jetpack.
182	[[/folder]]
183
184	[[folder:Web Animation]]
185	* In ''WebAnimation/MinilifeTV'', Snowball the vampire has the ability to transform into a bat, which he first does instinctively when he gets chased by an angry mob and he learns how to do it on command in "How I Got Your Laptops".
186	* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'': Cinder is the only member of Salem's team with the ability to fly beyond Salem herself. This helps make the BigBad and TheHeavy stand out from the rest of their group, which have more down-to-earth abilities. [[spoiler:Magic gives people the ability to fly, so Cinder gains this ability at the end of Volume 3 when she steals the full power of the Fall Maiden. While certain characters can use their Semblance or weapons to propel them through the air, such as Ruby's SuperSpeed, Weiss summoning a Queen Lancer to ride or Nora sitting on her grenade launcher, none of them have an innate power of true flight like the Four Maidens possess. As magic-users, [[BigBad Salem]] and [[BigGood Ozma]] also have this ability, but Ozma gave up most of his magic [[SuperEmpowering to create the Four Maidens]]; while it's implied he can still fly when fighting Cinder [[ResurrectiveImmortality as Ozpin]], [[LegacyOfTheChosen Oscar]] is new to Ozma's power and therefore doesn't use magic the same way.]]
187	[[/folder]]
188
189	[[folder:Webcomics]]
190	* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'': Vaarsuvius commonly uses magic to fly, both for its tactical benefit as a SquishyWizard and for its {{utility\|Magic}}. Zig-zagged as Vaarsuvius [[TookALevelInKindness comes to appreciate]] their non-magical teammates more and starts casting flight spells on them as well, especially Haley the archer.
191	[[/folder]]
192
193	[[folder:Western Animation]]
194	* ''WesternAnimation/AnimalMechanicals'': The main characters are robot animals that each have a different talent (the sasquatch has stretchy legs, the Komodo dragon has a set of tools in his tail, etc). The unicorn's talent is that [[WingedUnicorn she can fly]].
195	* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': Aang is the sole [[BlowYouAway airbender]] in the cast, and as such the only one of the main characters (not counting TeamPet Appa) who is able to fly, either by using his glider-staff or by levitating through airbending. Unusually for this trope, he's also the main protagonist.
196	* ''WesternAnimation/Ben10'': Stinkfly was Ben's primary flying alien during the original series; Heatblast and Ghostfreak could also fly, but the former was less flexible in the air (and unsuitable for transportation due to being a MagmaMan) while the latter escaped from the Omnitrix. Stinkfly ends up getting OvershadowedByAwesome in the sequels as Ben unlocks faster and more powerful fliers.
197	* ''WesternAnimation/ChipNDaleRescueRangers'': The protagonist team is composed of two chipmunks (Chip and Dale), two mice (Monterey Jack and Gadget), and one housefly (Zipper). Zipper is the only Ranger with innate flight, while the others require one of Gadgets's constructs to fly.
198	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Dinosaucers}}'': [[SmurfettePrinciple Teryx the Archaeopteryx]] and Terrible Dactyl the pterosaur are this for their respective teams the Dinosaucers and the Tyrannos.
199	* Inverted in ''WesternAnimation/DinosaurTrain''. The main character is a ''Tyrannosaurus'' who was adopted by a ''Pteranodon'' family.
200	* ''WesternAnimation/ExtremeDinosaurs'': Bullzeye is the only natural flyer among the four dinosaurs. The others can only go airborne via their flying vehicles.
201	* ''Literature/HarryAndHisBucketFullOfDinosaurs'': Only one of Harry's dinosaurs, Pterence the ''Pteranodon'', can fly.
202	* ''WesternAnimation/HeroElementary'': Lucita Sky is the only member of Sparks Crew capable of unaided flight.
203	* ''WesternAnimation/Invincible2021'': Atom Eve was the only member of the Teen Team who could actually fly.
204	* ''WesternAnimation/KidCosmic'': Kid was the only member of the team that could use flight since it was the power his gem gave him. [[spoiler: Though we find out later that it's really telekinesis.]]
205	* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'': [[ArcVillain Zaheer]] is the airbender of his team and ultimately gains the power of flight, making him this trope for them.
206	* ''WesternAnimation/TheLionGuard'': Ono the egret is this in the original season, being the only winged member of the team. In late season 2, the Guard is joined by an eagle named Anga who can fly higher than Ono.
207	* ''WesternAnimation/LoonaticsUnleashed'': The team began as six ordinary residents of Acmetropolis before they received their superpowers from an [[GreenRocks energized meteor]]. Rev Runner was already a speedster doing food delivery; the {{phlebotinum}} increased his speed, and gave him the ability to fly. The other five superheroes require jet packs or vehicles to attain flight.
208	* ''WesternAnimation/MonsterForce'': Shelly is the only member of the team whose PoweredArmor allows her to fly.
209	* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': Rainbow Dash was this in the earlier days of the series. Though Fluttershy ''could'' fly, being a pegasus and all, she was a weak flier at best and was most comfortable on the ground with [[AnimalLover her animals]]. So much so that she's actually had to be rescued from falling by other flying characters in the series, and on one occasion received a [[https://derpibooru.org/images/181583 pretty dirty glare]] from her rescuer. This pretty much left Rainbow Dash and her dreams of joining the Wonderbolts flight squadron to be their go-to pony any time they needed someone with a set of wings. Subverted as the series has gone on though, not only with Fluttershy gaining confidence and becoming a stronger flier but also with Twilight Sparkle and eventually Spike gaining the innate ability to fly as well.
210	* ''WesternAnimation/MummiesAlive'': Each of the four eponymous Mummies has PoweredArmor modeled after [[AnimalMotifs an animal]]. Ja-Kal's armor is modeled after a falcon and he is the only one of the Mummies who can fly when transformed.
211	* ''WesternAnimation/PawPatrol'': Skye embodies this trope in two ways; her pup-pack functions a jetpack, a feature unique to her, and her vehicle is a helicopter whereas the other pups' vehicles are all wheeled. To show her position as the sole flying member, the symbol on her tag is a propeller and a pair of wings.
212	* ''WesternAnimation/PJMasks'': Being owl-themed, Owlette has flight as her main power. She's the only one of the main characters who can fly directly without the aid of a vehicle or device. Newton Star can also fly without aid of a vehicle or device, but he is a supporting hero introduced in season 4, who shows up occasionally.
213	* ''WesternAnimation/SkeletonWarriors'': Talyn is the only one among the heroes with the natural power of flight.
214	* ''WesternAnimation/SpidermanTheAnimatedSeries'': The Six Forgotten Warriors arc has Spider-Man teaming up with ComicBook/CaptainAmerica and five other superheroes who had each received a variation of the Super Soldier Serum. One of them was Miss America, who was the only one with the power to fly.
215	* ''WesternAnimation/SpideyAndHisAmazingFriends'': Gwen Stacey/Ghost Spider is the only one of the three heroes who can fly.
216	* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003'': Bumblebee is this among the [[WestCoastTeam Titans East]], being the only one with flight capabilities.
217	* ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'': As with ''Literature/TheRailwaySeries'', Harold the Helicopter is the only series regular to fly. There were two planes (Tiger Moth and Jeremy), [[CharacterOfTheDay but they only appeared in a handful of episodes before vanishing]].
218	* ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'':
219	** Before the introduction of the Aerialbots in Season 2, Jetfire, and later on, Powerglide filled this spot for the Autobots' ranks.
220	** Most of the Autobot Combiner teams or other subgroups, such as the Dinobots, have at least one member capable of flight in alt mode. The Dinobots have Swoop, and the Protectobots get Blades.
221	** Averted with the Decepticon Combiner subgroup of Stunticons, who all transform into ground vehicles (though they can fly in robot mode, or when merged as Menasor).
222	** In ''WesternAnimation/{{Beast Wars}}'', initially Optimus Primal (in robot mode) was the only flight-capable Maximal. Later on, a more natural flyer, Airazor (who could fly in both modes but used primarily her alt mode — a falcon — for flight efficiency), joined the cast of Maximals, before being replaced by Silverbolt in Season 2.
223	* ''WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan2012'': Nova is the only one is Spider-Man's team who can fly.
224	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Visionaries}}'': Arzon and Cravex are the Token Flyers for the Spectral Knights and the Darkling Lords, being able to transform into an Eagle and a Phylot [[note]]The latter is a Prysmosian animal similar to a pterosaur[[/note]] respectively. Most of the knights transform into land-based animals, though there are two who change into aquatic creatures, which means they are only capable of achieving flight in vehicles or if carried by a transformed Arzon or Cravex.
225	* ''Franchise/WinnieThePooh'': Owl is the only main character who is an avian creature.
226	* ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'': The original team consists of: Robin and Artemis, who are both non-powered {{Badass Normal}}s, Superboy [[AdaptationalWimp who can't fly in this continuity]], Kid Flash who has the power of SuperSpeed, Aqualad [[TokenAquaticRace who is an Atlantean]], Zatanna who is a magic user, and finally Miss Martian who is the only one with the power of flight. [[note]] Rocket also has the power to fly but [[EleventhHourRanger she doesn't join until the last two episodes of Season One]] and unlike Miss Martian whose power of flight is natural, Rocket's flight comes from the technology on her belt.[[/note]]
227	[[/folder]]

Context Main / TokenFlyer