Bird wings inspire new approach to flight safety

Princeton engineers have developed a new flight safety technology inspired by bird feathers, specifically covert feathers, which enhance the performance of aircraft wings. By adding rows of flaps to a remote-controlled plane's wings, researchers demonstrated improved flight performance and stall prevention. Aimy Wissa, the study's principal investigator, noted that these flaps can help avoid stalls and regain control when they occur. The flaps deploy automatically in response to airflow changes, making them a cost-effective and lightweight solution for enhancing flight stability without complex machinery. Wind tunnel experiments revealed that configurations with multiple flaps significantly improved lift and reduced drag. The team tested the technology in real-world conditions at Princeton's Forrestal Campus, successfully demonstrating the flaps' effectiveness in delaying stall intensity. The findings could have broader applications beyond aviation, potentially benefiting vehicles and wind turbines. This research not only advances engineering but also opens avenues for collaboration with biologists to further understand the aerodynamic roles of bird feathers.

- Princeton engineers created feather-inspired flaps to improve aircraft flight safety.

- The flaps enhance performance by preventing stalls and aiding control recovery.

- Wind tunnel tests showed a 45% increase in lift and a 30% reduction in drag with multiple flaps.

- The technology was successfully tested on a remote-controlled plane in real-world conditions.

- Findings may have applications in other fields, including automotive and renewable energy technologies.