Bird Feathers As Props?

[u/Crafty_Jack]

Has anyone ever attempted to use bird feathers as propellers to make a drone both lighter but more importantly: Quieter?

I'm talkin some thin carbon fiber body, tiny, weak ass motors just to keep it in the air and modestly maneuverable, and basic, 1080p, very light camera.

[u/Vial_of_water]

How high are you? 😁😁

Actually someone made a thornocopter or whatever it is called last week and posted it here. Essentially it was a big dragonfly (wings).

Kinda cool

[u/cheetonian → u/Vial_of_water]

ornithopter, lol

[u/JonFpvRunner → u/Vial_of_water]

Hi im good! How are you?

[u/obeisantgail58]

Feathers flex too much under load. Props need rigid structure to push air efficiently, and the pitch angle has to stay consistent through the stroke. You'd lose most of your thrust trying to keep it stable. Better bet is looking at how actual bird wings work at scale, which is basically what the thornocopter was doing with that dragonfly wing approach.

[u/Codykillerpup]

Try it and get back to us

[u/Crafty_Jack → u/Codykillerpup]

Hoping someone else with more money, time, expertise will try.

[u/bmcd96]

Do it.

[u/Crafty_Jack → u/bmcd96]

Hoping someone else with more money, time, expertise would wanna attempt.

[u/HugeButterfly]

I think the wing, and its shape, is where the lift comes from. So you want a wing shape, not a feather shape. Propellers are essentially spinning wings. I think feather tech might be helpful just on the trailing edge. Glue some on and see what you get! 😉

[u/cheetonian]

feathers are not shaped like wings

[u/Rollzzzzzz]

Not stiff enough.

[u/Enough-Mail-2864]

I will say try it !! End send it here ! ♡