Science & technology | Aviation

If aircraft can copy the way geese fly, they will save fuel

One plane rides on another’s wake

Geese do it. Why not planes?

IN THE CUT-THROAT business of civil aviation, every little helps. So researchers at Airbus, Europe’s biggest aircraft manufacturer, have been experimenting with a wheeze which they hope might shave up to 10% off an airliner’s fuel consumption. This is to hitch a ride on the wake of the plane in front.

This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “Trail blazers”

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