TEDxNASA@SiliconValley - Al Bowers - Toward More Bird-Like Flight: Thinking Outside the Box

Al Bowers started at NASA Dryden in 1982 as an aerodynamicist. He is the
Associate Director of Research, has 30 research publications, and has contributed to seven books.

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[spfYT]

I'm trying to implement this concept at Boeing and face a lot of resistance. I've learned Aerodynamics from Reimar Horten himself. His legacy is still waiting to be understood by the right decision makers. Al's interpretation of Horten's design principles is a gift to humanity. It will eventually happen ...

[jtanon]

The man is a genius and is absolutely awesome in person! He is truly gifted and I only hope that his ideas are very soon more universally accepted by the larger aerospace industry and community!

[craigcolavito]

This is incredibly interesting. I truly believe that biomimicry is the future of aerodynamics. Nothing can beat the thousands of millions of years of research and development like natural evolution. Fascinating topic!

[High]

I have nothing but respect both for this man and the topic.

[SimpleKeep]

He has released his research paper including the relevant equations and wing twist distribution.

[tomadams]

Birds do not have vertical tails or swept-back wings. They all have both horizontal tails and unswept, but somewhat cranked wings (in planform). I presume evolution has decided these features help birds fly. What do you think they do? How do they help?

[High]

This topic is rarely mentioned even in professional circles, I think that it is very misunderstood even mystified concept. Horten's work is legacy that is still unexploited properly. Sad. I am working on some ideas which are connected to Horten's work and flying wings for last few years and I have huge respect for the topic.

[JonasGrumbyBand]

He also is a great teacher, a highly talented engineer and also big Leo Kottke fan. Plus, since I left Dryden for another NASA center and he's no longer my boss, I can comfortably kiss his ass here. :-)

[amanieux]

biomimicry is great but why did you focus at albatros that have wings optimized by natural selection for optimal gliding (tip features remain straight because load is 0)and not at the bald eagle that have wings optimized for big payloads (they carry 15 lb preys that are heavier than their own body weight) (tip feathers bends upwards because load is not 0 at wing tip) - in the end we want to optimize our wing design to fly a payload and not just fly for the beauty of flying.