Airbus designs next-generation flap wing-tips

Airbus designs next-generation flap wing-tips

Airbus has designed an aircraft with the first in-flight, flapping wing-tips. The wing-tips are a revolution in aircraft wing-design. The new design is believed to reduce drag and overall wing weight, while combating the effects of turbulence and wind gusts.

The so-called ‘semi-aeroelastic hinge’ is in nature. The albatross marine bird locks its wings at the shoulder for long-distance soaring but unlocks them when wind-gusts occur or maneuvering is required.

A remote-controller small-scale aircraft, fitted with the new wing tip concept, has already taken its first flights. The test flights with this plane – the AlbatrossOne – are to prove the concept and help develop the wing tip further. The small-scale aircraft was the first plane to actually trial in-flight, freely-flapping wing-tips to relieve the effects of wind gusts and turbulence. “The next step is to conduct further tests to combine the two modes, allowing the wing-tips to unlock during flight and to examine the transition”, and Airbus spokesperson has disclosed.

Further reading on: breakingtravelnews.com