This paper describes the development of a mechanized wing concept for a perching
micro air vehicle. The wings are capable of rotating in pitch at two spanwise joints to simulate the
motion of a bird’s wings during a perching maneuver. This project focuses on the wing
mechanization design and analysis as well as the structure/mechanism integration. The advantage of
a perching type of landing is that it allows the vehicle to land with approximately zero vertical and
horizontal velocity on a tree branch, power line, or ledge. The requirements to perform this
maneuver were investigated, the structural design was developed, and the mechanization integration
to achieve this motion was determined. A model was designed and manufactured to demonstrate the
kinematic mechanism making this wing motion possible. Wind tunnel testing and analytical
simulation were also completed to further develop the model.
