Improving drone performance in headwinds

The prevalence of multi-rotor drones has increased dramatically in recent years, but in headwinds, they pitch upwards unpredictably. Engineers from Tohoku University, Japan, have shown that angling the rotor blades of a quad-rotor ...

Wing shape helps swifts glide through storms

They are among nature's best fliers, spending most of their time in flight … now scientists have shed new light on how swifts can glide with ease, whatever the weather. A new study suggests that the aerodynamics of swifts' ...

Collapsible wings help birds cope with turbulence

Collapsible wings may be a bird's answer to turbulence according to an Oxford University study in which an eagle carried its own 'black box' flight recorder on its back.

3-D video from inside flying insects

The flight muscles moving inside flies have been filmed for the first time using a new 3D X-ray scanning technique.

Bats inspire 'micro air vehicle' designs

By exploring how creatures in nature are able to fly by flapping their wings, Virginia Tech researchers hope to apply that knowledge toward designing small flying vehicles known as "micro air vehicles" with flapping wings.

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