The Wing Of Nature's Fliers

Natural Fliers

Which would you think are more efficient in the air? Planes or such creatures as bats, insects, and birds? Believe it or not, the plane is no match for these small wonders of nature, who "outstanding capabilities to remain airborne through wind gusts, rain, and snow," says Wel Shyy, professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Michigan. Their secret? Wings that flap-the envy of aviators since man's attempts at flying first got off the ground.

Consider: While some birds and insects are in flight, their wings are constantly changing shape to adapt to the environment. This enables them to hover and to perform sharp manoeuvre. The magazine Science News reports what has been observed in bats: "When flying at slow speeds, about 1.5 meters per second, the bats turned their wing tips upside down and quickly flicked them backward during an upstroke. Scientists have surmised that this trick... Provides lift and thrust."

To be sure, there is still much to learn about natural fliers. "Physically, what are they doing to the air to produce such efficient lift?" asks Peter Ifju, professor of mechanical and earospace engineering at the University of Florida. He adds: "There are all kinds of flow physics we just don't understand. We can see what birds and insects are doing, but we don't understand how that interact with the air." Although many winged creatures can fly in the rain, most seek pa place of safety.

What do you think? Did the versatile wing of natural fliers come about by chance? Or was it designed?