Pterosaur-inspired aircraft makes sharper turns
Tuesday, June 14, 2011 - 11:31
in Physics & Chemistry
(PhysOrg.com) -- By morphing and repositioning a small aircraft's vertical tail to resemble the cranial crest of a pterosaur, researchers have shown that the aircraft's turn radius can be reduced by 14%. The ability to make sharper turns is especially important for small aircraft that operate in urban environments and in the presence of obstacles.