Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Airbus develops plane with flapping wing-tips

Design mimics movement of an albatross

Cathy Adams
Thursday 01 August 2019 17:30 BST
Comments
Airbus reveal the albatross plane

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Airbus has developed a small-scale aircraft with flapping wing-tips that mimic the movement of an albatross.

AlbatrossOne, a carbon-fibre concept plane developed by the planemaker’s engineers, has revolutionary “semi-elastic” hinged wing-tips that move, which can help to reduce drag and weight.

The free flapping wing-tips can also help to combat the effects of turbulence and wind gusts.

The model aircraft was inspired by albatrosses, which can travel hundreds of miles without flapping their wings, in a process known as “dynamic soaring”.

The first flight tests for the plane finished in February. The next stage is to conduct flight tests that combine the two flight modes, enabling the wing-tips to unlock during flight and to examine the transition.

“The concept of hinged wing-tips is not new,” explains Airbus engineer Tom Wilson.

“Military jets employ them to allow greater storage capacity on aircraft carriers.

“However, AlbatrossOne is the first aircraft to trial in-flight, freely flapping wing-tips – which account for up to a third of the length of the wing.”

This isn’t the first time that Airbus has turned to biomimicry in its design.

Last month, the planemaker unveiled a new plane design that looks like a bird with feathered wings.

The theoretical design, which is a hybrid-electric, turbo-propeller aircraft, is inspired by the “mechanics” of a bird of prey, according to the planemaker.

The “Bird of Prey” plane has a blended wing-to-fuselage joint that mirrors the aerodynamic arch of an eagle or falcon.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in