Hidden feathers inspired the design of an airplane that is immune to stalling.

Aviation enthusiasts and aircraft designers have long been inspired by the wings of soaring birds as a model. However, developers of flying machines have largely overlooked the fact that birds possess several groups of concealed feathers. One of these groups is revealed when a bird performs specific aerial maneuvers, such as navigating strong winds or landing. This remarkable ability aligns with the principles of aerodynamics and contributes to stable flight.

2024-10-31 10:02:38https://naked-science.ru/article/hi-tech/skrytye-perya-podskazali

Engineers from Princeton University (USA) have utilized a technology inspired by nature to enhance the safety of flights for "iron birds." The researchers took a miniature airplane and installed several rows of "hidden feathers" on a 3D-printed wing. The remotely controlled aircraft was first tested in a wind tunnel, where pressure and airflow were measured.

Experts tested various configurations and found that with five-row flaps, the wing's lift increased by 45%, while vortex drag decreased by 30%. This improvement enhances overall stability, thereby increasing flight safety and the aircraft's performance.

The next phase of the experiment was conducted on a helicopter pad. They equipped a remote-controlled scale model of the airplane with flaps and programmed it for multiple stalls. The mechanism demonstrated its effectiveness even under these conditions.

The results elucidate the logical yet simple design of bird wings, which can be utilized to enhance the flight characteristics of airplanes without significant costs. This approach can also be applied in the design of cars, underwater vehicles, and even wind turbines.

The team shared their engineering solutions in an article published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.