Boids? Who woulda thunk it?
Updated: February 13th, 2007 11:41 AM EDT
Flying Creatures May Inspire Future of Aviation
Alan Levin
USA TODAY
“Learning the secret of flight from a bird was a good deal like learning the secret of magic from a magician.” — Orville Wright
As the nocturnal owl stalks its prey, a quirk on its wings enables a silent hunt. Fringe-like feathers hang off the bird and muffle the whooshing air. Even a sharp-eared mouse can’t hear the owl swoop in.
That lesson in aerodynamics provides a valuable guide for aviation experts who are crafting a new technology. They’ve incorporated the concept into the Silent Aircraft Initiative, a plan to create a plane that would make no noticeable noise outside an airport.
*
Throughout history, humans had always hoped to fly.
It is a shame that they chose they wrong objects upon which
to research and develop their dream.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Images: (paper planes) Olivier Viet Avions Origami via design.origami.free.fr; (stones) free-pictures-photos.com; (hemp) hempmuseum.org; also (Hemp History Room & Intute,ac.uk) (Stonehenge) memphis75.com & en.wikipedia.org; (stone buddha) stone-planet.com (kindling) valfiere.qc.ca; (Russian houses)(big) russkaya-storona-ru; (ranch) verum.ru; (townhouse) jophan.org; (hammock) downbound.com; (dim sum) reflex.at;
Please find the entire article at Aircraft Maintenance Technology.