Peregrine Falcon’s Dive: Pullout Maneuver and Flight Control Through Wing Morphing

During the pullout maneuver, peregrine falcons were observed to adopt a succession of specific flight configurations that are thought offer an aerodynamic advantage over aerial prey. Analysis trajectory falcon in controlled environment shows it experiencing load factors up , and further predictions suggest this could be increased almost during high-speed pullout. This can attributed high maneuverability promoted by lift-generating vortical structures wing. Wind-tunnel experiments on life-sized models different together with high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics simulations (large-eddy simulations) show deploying hand wing creates extra vortex lift, which is similar combat aircraft delta wings. The forces position center calculated from flow around configurations. allowed for analysis longitudinal static stability early phase, confirming flying unstably pitch positive slope pitching moment trim angle attack about 5 deg, possibly maximize responsiveness. wings/primaries seen contribute augmented stability, acting as “elevons” would tailless blended-wing/body aircraft.