Originally Posted by
good finish
i was expecting some scientific answers on the flies - maybe the huge increase in rape in the UK is encouraging them?
with regard to the comment about about bugs having no performance impact that is incorrect. High performance sailplanes are often fitted with in flight bug wipers and performance tests have been carried out highlighting the benefit.
having bugs on the wings must impact the laminar flow and thus reduce the lift produced requiring more throttle - maybe though its a negligible amount? - any boffins out there care to comment?
Given IO540's comments, probably it is a negligible reduction, maybe within the accuracy of a flowmeter anyway.
Maybe the dry spring had something to do with fly populations, it certainly only takes a minor climate difference at a critical fly life cycle point to make a massive difference in the population that year.