Biomimicry, also known as biologically inspired engineering, involves the study and imitation of nature to help solve human challenges. The aviation sector is filled with examples of biomimicry which have provided engineers with invaluable insights from the flight of birds to the movement of sharks. 

As a result of carefully studying the movement of animals, we have been able to make aircraft lighter and more fuel-efficient. Few projects, though, look as close to the real thing as the Macrobat, a new bird-shaped air taxi that can take off with a nearly vertical trajectory.