Emulating bird flight has been a big part of man’s desire to fly through the years. The latest in ornithological look-alikes comes from the Electric Aviation Group in the United Kingdom. Their creation seem to be an outgrowth of last year’s somewhat controversial Bird of Prey concept displayed by Airbus at several prominent airshows. Designed to have a “certain ‘Wow’ factor,” the model took its cues from hawks and eagles, including a high-arched wing blended into the upper fuselage. It featured wingtips much like a bird’s, with primary feathers ostensible capable of morphing to control banking and even adverse yaw in a turn. Even its patriotic tail feathers were indeed feather-like and added to the avian quality of the aircraft. Sailplane designers in the 1930’s tried similar imitation, with craft like the German Fafnir reaching an arch-winged perfection. Its flight, at least in this video, would be a model of grace and smooth, flowing motion – a bit dreamlike. Hybrid …
