ESPCI web site
V-Formation and echelon formation flights can be seen used by migratory birds throughout the year and have left many scientists wondering why they choose very specific formations. Experiments and analytical studies have been completed on the topic of the formation flight of birds and have shown that migratory birds benefit aerodynamically by using these formations. However, many of these studies were completed using fixed-wing models, while migratory birds both flap and glide while in formation. This paper reports the design of and experiments with a flapping-wing model rather than only a fixed-wing model. In order to complete this study, two different approaches were used to generate a flapping-wing model. The first was a computational study using an unsteady vortex–lattice (UVLM) solver to simulate flapping bodies. The second was an experimental design using both custom-built flapping mechanisms and commercially bought flapping drones. The computations and various experimental trials confirmed that there is an aerodynamic benefit from flying in either V-formation or echelon flight while flapping. It is shown that each row of birds experiences an increase in aerodynamic performance based on positioning within the formation.
MDPI
By: Joseph Martinez-Ponce, Brenden Herkenhoff, Ahmed Aboelezz, Cameron Urban, Sophie F Armanini, Elie Raphaël and Mostafa Hassanalian.
Submission received: 13 July 2024 / Revised: 8 August 2024 / Accepted: 9 August 2024 / Published: 15 August 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8080395