Numerical investigation of three-dimensional asymmetric hovering flapping flight

Abstract

Direct numerical simulations are performed to assess the aerodynamic performance of three-dimensional wings undergoing asymmetric hovering flapping flight. A large number of flapping kinematics is investigated, varying the pitch rate and the upstroke and downstroke angles of attack. We show that, for all cases, time-averaged performance is driven, to leading order, by the mean angle of attack over a flapping period despite the increased contribution of drag to vertical force with increased stroke plane angle. We hence suggest that asymmetric hovering is not intrinsically more efficient than normal hovering, conversely to what has been previously reported in the literature. This may explain the under-representation of this flight mode in nature.