Wake analysis of a robotic avian wing with moult gaps in flapping flight
Birds regularly moult their feathers when they are worn from use such as mechanical wear damage due to UV exposure or accidents. Moulting generates temporary, generally symmetric, wing gaps, which can reduce flight performance by altering aerodynamic forces, lift and drag. Birds can compensate for some of these effects through mass loss, enlarged flight muscles, and adaptive wing morphing. To circ
