PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Aircraft to fly in formation 1.8 nm apart to save fuel like geese do
Old 20th Nov 2019, 00:21
  #25 (permalink)  
compressor stall
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: 500 miles from Chaikhosi, Yogistan
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Look at how closely race cars and cyclist follow each others tails to benefit from drafting.

Geese coordinate the way that they flap their wings to maximize the benefits of each others slipstreams.
Important point is that the second aircraft is not "drafting" You're not getting a tow.

The second aircraft is surfing the wave out to the side of the first. It's similar to the Kelvin wake. visible here https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...-_DSC06962.JPG

And if you're surfing the wave, you're getting free uplift, so power reduces.

At least that's my recollection of discussion with some researchers in the early days of this project
compressor stall is online now