Page 96 - Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature
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Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature
How Birds’ Wings Are Shaping Flight Technology
The study of bird flight has led to important changes in the structure
of airplane wings.
One of the first planes to make use of these changes was
the American F-111 fighter. F-111 did not have control sur-
faces such as ailerons and flaps, which are used to con-
trol movements of the aircraft. Instead, just as birds
do, the fighter could sweep its wings. This al-
lowed it to remain balanced even while
turning. 66
The shape of birds’ wings is the determining factor in their abil-
ity to fly. Wings of fast-flying birds like the falcon, hawk, and
swallow are long, narrow and pointed—features that have
served as a guide to flight engineers. ("Kusursuz Ucus
Makineleri" (Perfect Flight Machines), Bilim ve Teknik, 23.)
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