Mimicking Humpback Whale Flippers May Improve Airplane Wing
Design
Wind tunnel tests of scale-model humpback whale flippers have
revealed that the scalloped, bumpy flipper is a more efficient wing
design than is currently used by the aeronautics industry on
airplanes. The tests show that bump-ridged flippers do not stall as
quickly and produce more lift and less drag than comparably sized
sleek flippers.
"What it's starting to look like, to us anyway, is the perfect
storm."
Source: Mike Fitzpatrick of the Northwest
Interagency Coordination Center in Portland (OR). This, upon word
from the Forest Service that it's terminated 33 aerial firefighting
contracts because the aircraft involved are too old to be
guaranteed airworthy. While the Pentagon has assured firefighters
that several C-130 tankers will be available throughout this year's
fire season -- which is underway early -- Fitzpatrick says so many
military resources are already committed in Iraq and Afghanistan
that their availability is in question.
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