First flight for shape-changing wing flaps

Earlier in 2014, researchers replaced an airplane’s conventional aluminium flaps with advanced, shape-changing assemblies that are said to form seamless bendable and twistable surfaces.

Flight-testing will determine whether flexible trailing-edge wing flaps are a viable approach to improve aerodynamic efficiency and reduce noise generated during take-offs and landings.

The Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge (ACTE) project is a joint effort between NASA and the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), using flaps designed and built by FlexSys, a company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

With AFRL funding the project through the Air Force’s Small Business Innovative Research program, FlexSys developed a variable geometry airfoil system called FlexFoil that can be retrofitted to existing airplane wings or integrated into brand new airframes.

Using conventional materials and actuators, FlexFoil - with no moving parts in the shape-adapting mechanism - is being applied to demonstrate camber changes (-9 to +40 degrees), span-wise twist and high response rates (50 degrees/sec), along with a control surface that is strong and stiff enough to support over 10,000lbs of air loads.