7 - A Period of Reappraisal: — Measurements of Man-Power and Studies of Bird and Insect Flight

Abstract

This chapter discusses the measurements of man-powered flights and studies of bird and insect flight. The Second World War interfered temporarily, with one minor exception, with the further development of man-powered aircraft, but the general progress in aeronautical science was, as usual, accelerated by the requirements for more advanced aircraft. By 1945, the aerodynamics and structural design methods had undergone a minor revolution. The monoplane was now shown to be totally superior to the biplane. Engine efficiency in terms of power per unit weight had greatly improved, and the reliability of aircraft had increased at a similar rate to the growing sophistication, not least with the advent of the jet engine. Some countries, affected by the shortage of raw materials, had earnestly begun the development of man-made materials, such as synthetic rubber, later to be followed by the vast range of plastics and organic chemical compounds, many of which offered increased strength to weight ratios over their more natural competitors. Although the above developments were obviously aimed at larger and faster powered aircraft, inevitable advantages would be seen by utilizing the techniques in light aircraft construction.