Bumblebees fly in a very different way to aircraft, Combes said. While air flows smoothly over an aircraft wing or rotor blade, bees move their wings at a high angle to the air generating vortices that curl round the wing. ... Bees are able to sustain flight by moving their wings very rapidly.

Can bumble bees fly?

Since they do fly, there is obviously something interesting going on – bumblebees can generate more lift from their wings (a higher lift coefficient) than conventional aerodynamic methods should allow. ... The key is unsteady aerodynamics and leading edge vortices.

How is it possible that a bee can fly?

Their wings are not rigid, but twist and rotate during flight. Bee wings make short, quick sweeping motions front and back, front and back. This motion creates enough lift to make it possible for bees to fly.