Wings | Tail | The Engines | Landing Gear | Flight Controls | Helicopters | Vertical Take-off | Specialised Craft | Aerodynamics in Nature
The wings of birds also make use of aerodynamics to fly. Some
examples of this are the duck, the honeysuckle and the vulture.
The vulture is one of the only birds that cannot fly for a
very long period of time, it can however glide for long periods. It uses updrafts of warm air (thermals) to get altitude. Its wings
are very long and it becomes a glider. It can
stay in the air for days without actually flapping its wings.
The duck is the fastest bird, but it cannot fly for long
periods of time. Its wings are swept back which makes them more streamlined
(works better with aerodynamics) and therefore allow ducks to fly fast in the air.
(Above) Digital photo's of the hummingbird in flight and at rest. Used with permission by Don Pratt, © 2000 Don Pratt
The honeysuckle beats its wings very quickly and hovers in
place. The wings are very small and can be moved quickly without much
effort. In this way it stays in the same place without moving.
Humankind has modeled our own aeroplanes based on the design of birds.
We have helicopters in place of the honeysuckle, gliders in place of the vultures and jets in place of the ducks.O t h e r U s e s
There are many other industries where aerodynamics is used. In particular the principles upon which aerodynamics is based are used.
An example of this is in the production of motor vehicles. Car companies create more aerodynamical cars in order to increase their efficiency. If the car can travel easier through the air, it will improve its fuel consumption, general wear-and-tear on the car and, of course, the top speed. Another example can be found in sport particularly cycling. More aerodynamical helmets, clothing and bicycles have made it easier for the rider to cycle especially into the wind and uphill.
" Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines. "
Anon