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Air Force Lab Test Out "Aircraft Surfing" Technique To Save Fuel
coondoggie writes "It's not a totally new concept, but the Air Force is testing the idea of flying gas-guzzling cargo aircraft inline allowing the trailing aircraft to utilize the cyclonic energy coming off the lead plane — a concept known as vortex surfing — over long distances to save large amounts of fuel. According to an Air force release, a series of recent test flights involving two aircraft at a time, let the trailing aircraft surf the vortex of the lead aircraft, positioning itself in the updraft to get additional lift without burning extra fuel."
I think it is learned behaviour of not flying in the poop-stream of the bird directly in front of you.
racing leagues that turn right and have drivers and fans educated enough to read.
Q) What has two hundred legs and twelve teeth?
A) The front row at a Willie Nelson concert.