Daily Archives: November 14, 2011

Pigeon Power, Dynamic Wings Improve Capabilities

Many people look at pigeons as a nuisance, defecating on cars and statues while causing general chaos in many cities across the globe.  These “rats with wings,” however, do have a very interesting way in which they fly, by utilizing very dynamic wings to adjust their flight speed and even “hover” in a way.  This […]

Penguins Can Fly… Underwater!

The penguins we see at the zoo today are distinctively different from many other birds due to their lack of ability to fly. Although, is flight something that can only be achieved in the air? Penguins might not be able to fly majestically as the bald eagle in the skies, but they’re capable of doing […]

Variable-Geometry Wings

If you have ever sat in a window seat on a plane, you might have noticed the flaps, spoilers, aileron, and slats (as seen here: Plane Parts) moving throughout the flight, during takeoff, and especially landing. These features are the results of engineers attempting to mimic the wings of birds, like the wings of the […]

Da Vinci’s Flying Machines

Leonardo da Vinci was a great artist who lived during the Italian Renaissance. Today he is remembered mainly for his artistic contributions, such as the Mona Lisa. Da Vinci however, was much more than just an artist, he was also an incredible inventor and engineer. He had written up designs for everything from bridges, to […]

Flight Dynamics of Dragonflies

The dragonfly is one of natures most impressive flyers. Some can fly at speeds up to 35 mph, can decelerate from 35-0 mph in less than a second, and fly backwards. They are extremely agile and can make dramatic lateral movements in the blink of an eye. These amazing abilities come from dragonflies unique flying […]