Mankind has
always been intrigued by how birds with a larges wingspans can glide thousands
of miles without flapping their wings. Albatross are among the largest of
flying birds with wing spans of up to 12 ft. Recently, German aerospace
engineer Johannes Tarugott and his colleagues, charted the albatross's flight
pattern to learn the techniques used by these winged creatures to stay aloft.
Dynamic
Soaring
The
albatross may be clumsy on land. Early mariners in fact nicknamed them Gooney
Birds. However once in air, these birds transform into masters in flight.
Albatross use a mode of flight called dynamic soaring. They maintain or
increase their altitude without flapping their wings, by taking advantage of
rising air. Usually updrafts (rising air) are generated when a steady wind
strikes something vertical -- say a a hill, cliff or obstruction which provides
an "obstruction lift".
Thermals or
updrafts can also be caused by uneven heating of air near the earth's surface.
Air over flat lands tend to heat faster than air over water or forests. Warmer
air is lighter than the surrounding cooler air and rises. However at higher
altitudes, warm air begins to cool and sink.
Airzones and boundary between air masses
The birds
conserve their energy and gain strength from air masses by repeatedly crossing
the boundary between air masses of different velocities. Albatross fly close to
the surface of the earth and turn suddenly into the wind when they want to gain
altitude. When they are about 50 feet high, the birds turn leeward (away from
the wind) and are pushed downwind. They glide effortlessly in the current until
it is time to climb again.
By taking
advantage of gravity and wind speeds over the sea surface, the albatross
attains height and ground speeds of up to 60 mph without having to flap their
wings. For a better understanding of how dynamic soaring works, dont miss the
video in the notes.
Adapting to
Aeronautics
The
researchers, in their study of the albatross, noted that the birds have a
special tendon on each shoulder that allow them to lock their wings in place to
help them with gliding. Using minimal energy, it gave them the ability to stay
airborne for long periods of time. Adapting it to modern aeronautics, a fixed
wing aircraft could operate on the same principle. While it may be hard for a
commercial airliner to fly like an albatross and stay close to the ocean
surface and make quick turns and sharp climbs, drones or unmanned vehicles that
need to be constantly airborne to recieve radio and telemetry signals could use
the albatross efficiency principles.
We never
know what we may learn next from nature. The important thing is to keep an open
mind and stay observant.r masses of different velocities. Albatross fly close to
the surface of the earth and turn suddenly into the wind when they want to gain
altitude. When they are about 50 feet high, the birds turn leeward (away from
the wind) and are pushed downwind. They glide effortlessly in the current until
it is time to climb again.
By taking
advantage of gravity and wind speeds over the sea surface, the albatross
attains height and ground speeds of up to 60 mph without having to flap their
wings. For a better understanding of how dynamic soaring works, dont miss the
video in the notes.
Adapting to
Aeronautics
The
researchers, in their study of the albatross, noted that the birds have a
special tendon on each shoulder that allow them to lock their wings in place to
help them with gliding. Using minimal energy, it gave them the ability to stay
airborne for long periods of time. Adapting it to modern aeronautics, a fixed
wing aircraft could operate on the same principle. While it may be hard for a
commercial airliner to fly like an albatross and stay close to the ocean
surface and make quick turns and sharp climbs, drones or unmanned vehicles that
need to be constantly airborne to recieve radio and telemetry signals could use
the albatross efficiency principles.
We never
know what we may learn next from nature. The important thing is to keep an open
mind and stay observant.
Courtesy: National Geographic, tuffplanes.com
From Youngzine
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