Prototype UAV glider can land on wires

Some of you might remember the Zephyr, a solar-powered UAV that can charge itself with the power of the sun. Some researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are working on a plane that can charge in a very unconventional method.

This would be a smaller plane, and possibly not hold a passenger. This autonomous glider would have the ability to land on a wire, just like a bird. Not only that, it could tap into the electrical wire and use the power to charge the plane’s batteries.

Somehow I don’t think this will work for jumbo jet liners. However, you have to admire how much modern-day scientists are struggling to keep up with something of nature.
Apparently, this experimental glider will have to have some sort of wings like a bird in order to do these cool landings.

The researchers hope that their technology could help search and rescue teams as this UAV could land on a branch of a tree.

I don’t know how well planes with actual wings will work, especially with the large planes that we have now. A 747 with flapping wings sounds like Flintstones technology. I think they used to do air-trips by flying on giant pterodactyls.

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