The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) started testing new and revolutionary aircraft flaps that change shape to maneuver an aircraft.

The project, called the Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge (ACTE), is a joint effort between NASA and the U.S. Air Research Laboratory. The flaps were made by FlexSys, Inc.

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This is already one step closer to developing technologies that will transform the current airline system into one with operating quieter and more fuel-efficient aircraft.

The first step to future airliners was the successful flight test of a wing surface that changes its shape in flight.

The testing began with researchers replaced conventional aircraft aluminum wing flaps with advanced, shape-changing assemblies that form seamless bendable and twistable surfaces.

The tests seek to determine if the flexible trailing-edge wing flaps are a viable approach to improve the efficiency of aerodynamics, and also reduce noise generated when taking off and landing.

"This flight test is one of the NASA Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) Project's eight large-scale integrated technology demonstrations to show design improvements in drag, weight, noise, emission and fuel reductions," said Fay Collier, ERA project manager at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.

The first few tests saw the flaps locked at a specified setting. Subsequent flights will see the use of different settings, thus collecting data that demonstrates the capability of the flexible wings in withstanding real flight environments.

The ACTE technology is expected to have major effects on the future of aviation.

The advanced lightweight materials will reduce a wing's structural weight and give engineers the ability to aerodynamically tailor the wings to improve fuel economy and more efficient operations.

TagsNASA, Airplane Flaps, FlexSys inc., U.S. Air Research Laboratory