Aviation News and Classified

Building aircraft wings with a special aluminum fiber combination makes them nearly immune to metal fatigue. The application of this technology, will lead to substantial savings. The unusual qualities of this special material can make a significant contribution to the development of truly energy-efficient, 'green' aircraft. Lower fuel consumption and reduction of maintenance costs could lead to worldwide savings as high as $100 billion.

Filed under: Uncategorized by ScienceDaily: Aviation News - Comments Off

Dragonflies adjust their wing motion while hovering to conserve energy, according to a new study of the insect's flight mechanics. The revelation contradicts previous speculation that the change in wing motion served to enhance vertical lift. Physicists came to their conclusions after analyzing high speed images of dragonflies in action. The insects have two pairs of wings, which sometimes move up and down in harmony. At other times the front set of wings flap out of sync with the back set.

Filed under: Uncategorized by ScienceDaily: Aviation News - Comments Off

Scientists are developing a new computer-aided holistic solution for the early phase of aircraft design. With knowledge from many fields, it is possible to propose the right solution for the aircraft's control system at an early stage. This reduces the risk of wasted efforts on faulty designs, which entails lower developmental costs and enhanced safety.

Filed under: Uncategorized by ScienceDaily: Aviation News - Comments Off

Calm excitement filled the ground control station. Engineers stared intently at their computer screens as the pilot, sitting next to them, flexed his fingers on the controls. Ground crew tending the aircraft finished putting away their equipment. Preparations for the first flight of the unmanned X-48B Blended Wing Body research aircraft were complete. Years of research, design, construction, wind tunnel and ground tests coalesced into this one moment of time.

Filed under: Uncategorized by ScienceDaily: Aviation News - Comments Off

An engineer has helped find a way to "cut the chatter" in high-speed machining of aluminum and titanium aircraft parts. Chatter in milling is an instability that arises because the cutting tool vibrates, making oscillating patterns on the work piece. The tool goes over the patterns, making the tool vibrate even more, yielding deeper patterns in the work piece, worsening until eventually the chatter destroys the tool or work piece.

Filed under: Uncategorized by ScienceDaily: Aviation News - Comments Off