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."

Comments

drafting...

[arkane1234]

Drafting.. nuff said.
Works for cars, bikes, motorcycles, swimmers, why not planes?