Foundation of a New Investigation of Natural Flight Characteristics and Theory

Author(s)

Lionel D. Alford, University of Dayton
Aaron Altman, University of DaytonFollow

Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

1-2005

Publication Source

43rd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit

Abstract

This paper proposes a model to describe flapping flight that allows macro-aerodynamic principles to be used to evaluate lift forces produced by an insect in hover. The foremost of these principles in spanwise velocity and acceleration induced by the rotational oscillations of the wing. These velocities and accelerations are proposed to act across the cambered wing in span to produce sufficient lift on both the upstroke and the downstroke to support more than four times the insect's weight. The model predicts the approximate force available to an insect and allows logical refinements that mirror actual insect wing motions during hovering flight.

ISBN/ISSN

978-1-62410-064-2

Comments

Permission documentation is on file.

Copyright

Copyright © 2005, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Publisher

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Place of Publication

Reno, NV

eCommons Citation

Alford, Lionel D. and Altman, Aaron, "Foundation of a New Investigation of Natural Flight Characteristics and Theory" (2005). Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications. 80.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/mee_fac_pub/80