From insects to microvehicles

Article Abstract:

A new account of the elements of insect flight most applicable to micro-air-vehicle (MAV) development gives an interesting insight into how a MAV should be designed. It is suggested that the stroke amplitude should be variable and controllable. This is also the case with the location, in relation to the body, of the area through which the wing sweeps, as this would affect the line of action of the mean aerodynamic force. MAVs would need to minimize the cost of storing energy by functioning as resonators oscillating at their natural frequency.

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How flies fly

Article Abstract:

Significant progress has been towards establishing a general theory of insect flight by work involving a flapping, robotic fruitfly. It was found that wing translation still supplies the greater part of the lift, but that short periods of wing twisting supply a significant element. The sensitivity of this element to the timing of wing twisting makes it extremely well adapted to the initiation and control of the swift accelerations and manoeuvres seen in the flight of higher flies.

Physiological aspects, Flies, Diptera

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Flight of the robofly

Article Abstract:

Research is presented describing the study of flight in insects and the use of mechanical fruitfly wings to quantitatively analyse force and flow pressure.

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