HOW MUCH LIFT CAN DRAGONFLIES GENERATE?

While man-made machines such as airplanes depend on steady inflows to generate lift, dragonflies generate lift with unsteady airflows.

Scientists have called dragonflies “aerodynamic miracles” because they can easily carry aloft 2 to 21/2 times their own weight.

According to National Wildlife, scientists have called dragonflies “aerodynamic miracles” because they can easily carry 2 to 21/2 times their weight aloft. In other words, dragonflies can lift three times more than the most efficient human-made flying machine! How do they do it?

Dragonflies can lift 3 times more than the most efficient man-made flying machine

During the downward stroke, they twist their wings slightly, generating whirlwinds on the surface of the wing to increase the lift. Thy carry 3 times more weight than airplanes.

The secret lies in the design of their wings. While human-made machines depend on steady inflows to generate lift, dragonflies create an upward force with unsteady airflows. During the downward stroke, they twist their wings slightly, causing whirlwinds on the surface of the wing to increase the lift.

If humans were to incorporate the principles dragonflies use in flight in the design of aircraft, the airplanes would be able not only to carry more weight but also lift off and land on shorter runways. Man can produce imitations of a dragonfly, but the original has not been easy to reproduce.