Fletching

Fletching is the fin-shaped aerodynamic stabilization device attached on arrows, bolts, darts, or javelins, and are typically made from light semi-flexible materials such as feathers or bark.

Traditionally, the fletching consists of three matched half-feathers attached near the back of the arrow or shaft of the dart that are equally spaced 120° degree intervals around its circumference.

Slow motion cameras show the arrow does not begin to spin until it is well past the riser (centre section of the bow), and the most important point is to have consistency in fletching.

More generally, "fletching" can refer to any structures added to a projectile to aerodynamically stabilize its flight, many of which resemble arrows in form and function.

For instance, the feathers at the butt end of a dart (of the type cast using an atlatl) are very similar in purpose and construction to those used in arrows.

Feather fletching – these are shield cut with barred red hen feathers and a solid white cock.
Plastic fletching (also known as vanes ) – this example is parabolic cut with pink hen vanes (the ones put oblique to the bow when nocked on the string) and a green cock (the one – or ones, with even-numbered vanes – put perpendicular to it).