wingflexing

Wingflexing refers to the bending and twisting of wings under aerodynamic, inertial, and gravitational forces. The concept is used in both ornithology and aerospace engineering to describe how wings deform during flight. In birds, wingflex is a natural part of wing mechanics that can influence lift and efficiency.

In aviation, wingflex describes aeroelastic deformation of an aircraft wing caused by lift, airspeed, maneuvers, and gusts. As loads vary during flight, wings bend and twist, a normal and expected behavior that engineers must accommodate. Modern wings use stiff spars and composite skins to resist excessive deflection while allowing some flex to improve efficiency. Design goals include preventing flutter and fatigue, maintaining control authority, and ensuring safe operation across flight regimes. Flight testing measures deflection, twist, and vibration characteristics to validate structural margins.

In birds, wingflex varies with species, size, and flight style. Controlled flexing helps manage lift, thrust, and energy use, while feathers and tendons adjust stiffness. In both birds and aircraft, wingflex is a fundamental, managed aspect of flight rather than an abnormal condition.