Feather-inspired airplane flaps could boost flight performance

Airplane plumage might be the next big thing in aviation.

Bird wings are contoured with overlapping rows of feathery tufts, spreading out from near the shoulder. These “covert feathers” help birds maneuver through the air. They could boost the performance of aircraft, too. Lining aircraft wings with rows of lightweight flaps that mimic covert feathers can increase lift, reduce drag and prevent stall, researchers report October 28 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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