4 ms·
inflatable surfaces already exist today, although not for control surfaces. De-icing boots are common in GA and some larger aircraft. Were you thinking to chan
by funkaster 4y ago
inflatable surfaces already exist today, although not for control surfaces. De-icing boots are common in GA and some larger aircraft.
Were you thinking to change the shape of an airfoil to affect the aerodynamics? that seems really risky and potentially unnecessary. For control surfaces, hard to picture something else than moving parts over a hinge, except maybe flaps that already change the shape of the wing.
- aerostable_slug 4y agoAeroelastic surfaces have been studied for some time, though I don't know of any production applications (yet). Here's a NASA F-18 fitted with them: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/news/FactSheets/FS-061-DFRC.html https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/news/FactSheets/FS-06...