Birds May Hold Secret To Curing Airplane Turbulence
- 10 years ago
Australian scientists think airplane turbulence can be combatted placing sensors on planes that mimic birds' feathers.
One of the worst parts of air travel can be the turbulence experienced while in flight.
Scientists with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research Team studied how birds may be able to help combat turbulence.
Specifically, they looked at the natural movement of a bird's feathers and how they're used to notice any disruptions in the air.
When this happens, birds make slight changes to their wings and tails to overcome it.
According to Simon Watkins, a professor at the school, "By sensing gusts and disturbances in air flow through their feathers, birds are able to fly gracefully rather than bouncing around in turbulent air."
The research team took this information and replicated it in a phase-advanced sensing system concept. It would help lower turbulence felt by passengers, while also reducing the weight on a plane's wings, which in turn could prolong their usage.
To test this, sensors were placed on a radio-controlled microplane, which acted as its feathers. When compared to the microplane without sensors, the bird-inspired plane produced a much more stable and balanced flight.
A patent for the project has been filed, and is currently supported by an Australian postgraduate award.
One of the worst parts of air travel can be the turbulence experienced while in flight.
Scientists with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research Team studied how birds may be able to help combat turbulence.
Specifically, they looked at the natural movement of a bird's feathers and how they're used to notice any disruptions in the air.
When this happens, birds make slight changes to their wings and tails to overcome it.
According to Simon Watkins, a professor at the school, "By sensing gusts and disturbances in air flow through their feathers, birds are able to fly gracefully rather than bouncing around in turbulent air."
The research team took this information and replicated it in a phase-advanced sensing system concept. It would help lower turbulence felt by passengers, while also reducing the weight on a plane's wings, which in turn could prolong their usage.
To test this, sensors were placed on a radio-controlled microplane, which acted as its feathers. When compared to the microplane without sensors, the bird-inspired plane produced a much more stable and balanced flight.
A patent for the project has been filed, and is currently supported by an Australian postgraduate award.