The first helicopters flew many years after the airplanes. The balloons are the first machines that were able to lift from the ground with a man on board. Parachutes have many applications in military operations, deployment of payload, rescue operations and sports, as shown in the photo at right. Many wind turbines are now connected to the electric utility networks and produce considerables amounts of energy. Aerodynamics has a strong impact on car performance.
Engineers find yet new ways to produce downforce.
Wind Tunnel Testing Wind tunnel testing is one of the most time consuming, yet effective tools for design and research. Tunnel testing is now integrated with sophisticated CFD methods to save development costs. A wide variety of buildings is subject to particularly strong aerodynamic forces. These systems include industrial towers, long suspension bridges, and off-shore platforms. The figure at right shows two industrial towers equipped with spirals in order to reduce the vortex drag.