MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
Innovation in aerospace extends beyond drones and futuristic aircraft. At UMEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi, among the out-of-the-box ideas is an invention that offers a new way to enhance aircraft stability, safety, and efficiency — especially for large, manned aircraft.
Kuwaiti innovator Ahmad Al-Qanaei created a supplementary roll-balancing system designed to improve how aircraft handle rotational movement.
“The idea is to reduce air pressure on the wings during roll manoeuvres,” Al-Qanaei told Aletihad. “When the forces are shared more evenly, the aircraft becomes more stable, safer, and more efficient.”
In simple terms, the system introduces a vertically oriented fin or strake that extends along the top of the aircraft’s fuselage, starting from above the cockpit and running toward the tail. Embedded within this fin is an additional moveable control surface, positioned centrally in relation to the wings.
This design allows the aircraft to achieve better balance during axial or roll manoeuvres, particularly when such movements are required under demanding flight conditions. By assisting the aircraft’s roll rate, the system reduces the need for excessive aileron deflection. As a result, the aerodynamic loads normally concentrated on the wings are redistributed across three axes instead of two, significantly reducing bending stress on the wings.
From an engineering perspective, the supplementary control surface is designed to operate in concert with conventional ailerons, but it is also adaptable to other roll-control systems such as spoilers or even wing-warping technologies. This flexibility makes the invention particularly relevant for next-generation aircraft design.
Born Out of Everyday Observation
The inspiration behind the invention is deeply personal and surprisingly simple. Al-Qanaei recounted how his daily commute past Kuwait International Airport gave him a front-row seat to the sight of massive aircraft taking off and landing.
Watching these enormous machines sparked a question: Could their movement be made smoother and safer through better balance?
Turning that question into a patented reality took just eight months. During that time, Al-Qanaei documented and refined his concept, submitted it through the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity, and ultimately secured an official US patent — a process he described as his greatest challenge.
“The hardest part was convincing the specialised committee in the US of the technical viability and value of the idea,” he said. “But thankfully, I succeeded.”
The system is specifically intended for large, manned aircraft, such as wide-body and very large platforms like the Airbus A380. According to Al-Qanaei, applying this technology to such aircraft could lead to fuel savings, enhanced manoeuvrability, and improved structural longevity—benefits that resonate strongly with the aviation industry’s push toward efficiency and sustainability.
Looking ahead, Al-Qanaei believes his invention could play a meaningful role in shaping the future of aviation and aerospace in the region.
By improving safety and reducing structural stress, the system supports both economic and operational goals, positioning regional innovators as contributors to global aerospace advancement, he said.