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Wings in a wind tunnel show secrets of flight

Study of swifts could improve airplane designs.

The average swift (Apus apus) travels 4.5 million kilometres in its lifetime — roughly the same as six round trips to the Moon. Now researchers have demonstrated how these adept aviators change the shape of their wings to improve performance, providing hints as to how aircraft engineers can improve their designs.

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Posted by Nicola Jones on April 25, 2007 06:30 PM |

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Comments

Editor! Check spelling/typos! Quite dismaying! Good article otherwise...

Posted by: Bart D. | April 26, 2007 07:23 AM

This work confirms that a lot can be gained for society by studying design in biology. This wing design is so good it almost makes one think again about whether Intelligent Design advocates may be onto something.

Posted by: Mark F | April 26, 2007 10:42 AM

Very interesting Article Mr.lentink.This proves that much can be learned by studying nature. And that no machine will ever be as perfect as nature itself.Good luck with your fish-study.

Posted by: samuel l | April 26, 2007 09:00 PM

Does someone else has square sections of bird wings for me?

Posted by: r.j.musters | April 27, 2007 10:18 AM

Mark F: "This wing design is so good it almost makes one think again about whether Intelligent Design advocates may be onto something."
Almost, but not quite, once one's brain is fully engaged.

Posted by: David McCulloch | April 28, 2007 02:51 PM

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