Wing and gliding dynamics of a flapping winged ornithopter

The Great Albatross, having the largest wingspan of any extant bird, is a highly efficient flier, using unique flapping and gliding techniques to cover great distances with little exertion. The main issue in the development of an Albatross robot is overcoming the problem of needing to use a significant amount of material in order to simulate its flapping motion. This can be solved by using other factors, such as air resistance as a force to move the wings. All biological components of a bird´s wings are essential in capturing the proper flight dynamics. This includes their shape, which is why providing camber to the wings is important in providing the proper amount of lift for a bird simulating robot. In this paper, we discuss the problems faced when trying to replicate the biological flight of an Albatross and discuss a wing design that uses camber and air resistance to assist in flight.