# 200. Scared of Flying Boeing? Nature Might Be The Solution

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2024-11-12
- Length: 24m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-11-12-200-scared-of-flying-boeing-nature-might-be-the-solution
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/200-scared-of-flying-boeing-nature-might-be-the-solution-nuYxwlRB

## Summary

Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss a Princeton University study on how layered 'covert' feathers on bird wings prevent stalling, and how engineers are mimicking this with passive flaps on airplane wings. They analyze the aerodynamic benefits, including a 45% lift increase and 30% drag reduction, and contrast this bio-inspired solution with the historical Boeing 737 MAX MCAS failures caused by stall-related issues. The hosts also explore potential applications in automotive, marine, and wind energy sectors.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-11-12-200-scared-of-flying-boeing-nature-might-be-the-solution#t=0) Introduction: Stalling Risks and the Boeing 737 MAX Context
- [4:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-11-12-200-scared-of-flying-boeing-nature-might-be-the-solution#t=292) The Physics of Stalling and Wing Lift
- [8:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-11-12-200-scared-of-flying-boeing-nature-might-be-the-solution#t=531) Princeton's Study on Covert Feathers and Layered Flaps
- [12:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-11-12-200-scared-of-flying-boeing-nature-might-be-the-solution#t=743) Wind Tunnel Results and RC Plane Validation
- [16:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-11-12-200-scared-of-flying-boeing-nature-might-be-the-solution#t=1009) Passive Deployment Mechanism and Commercial Viability
- [19:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-11-12-200-scared-of-flying-boeing-nature-might-be-the-solution#t=1189) Broader Applications and Episode 200 Celebration

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Princeton (company)
- Boeing (company)
- Boeing 737 MAX (product)
- MCAS (product)
- Airbus (company)
- Wevolver (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Flying Blind with Peter Robison](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2022-01-11-flying-blind-with-peter-robison) (Oxide and Friends)
- [Nvidia’s GTC | Boeing 737 Max | AI Special Projects](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-03-22-nvidias-gtc-boeing-737-max-ai-special-projects) (EE Times Current)
- [Colby Harvey: Drones for Aircraft Inspections, Boeing, Air Force, Air Safety | Hard Tech Podcast #13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2023-09-24-colby-harvey-drones-for-aircraft-inspections-boeing-air-force-air-safety-hard-te) (Hard Tech Podcast)
- [Episode Thirty-Six: Ignazio Maria Viola](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-02-10-episode-thirty-six-ignazio-maria-viola) (Robot Talk)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-11-12-200-scared-of-flying-boeing-nature-might-be-the-solution. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Next Byte Podcast.