Student flies like a bird, powered only by himself

[patchz]

A Canadian university student has done what Leonardo da Vinci had only dreamt of: Piloted a human-powered "wing-flapping" plane! Called an ornithopter, and the inspiration for modern day helicopters, the machine was first sketched by da Vinci way back in 1485 and never actually built.

Todd Reichert, an engineering student at the University of Toronto, made history by sustaining flight in his ornithopter -- named Snowbird -- for 19.3 seconds and covering 475.72 feet. Snowbird is made from carbon fiber, balsa wood, and foam. The 92.59 pound vehicle maintained an average speed of 15.91 miles per hour.

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/guest_blogg ... mself.html

[expat]

Quite a feat, but I can't help but to think that it still took a V8 to get it off the ground. Had it been more along the lines of the Gossamer Albatross then that would have been truly impressive.

Matt

[patchz]

Quite a feat, but I can't help but to think that it still took a V8 to get it off the ground. Had it been more along the lines of the Gossamer Albatross then that would have been truly impressive.

Matt

I agree Matt, but I thought it was interesting enough to post. Not to sure about the wing flex though. Seems to me a prop with a gear mechanism might be the way to go. On second thought, think I will stick with internal combustion.

[Steve M]

I also wondered how much distance the tow gave it. I did see lift happening when the wings pulled down. It needs a knuckle dragger with long arms at the helm. Like Magilla Gorilla..

[Hagar]

Because the plane has a wingspan of 104 feet -- which is comparable to that of a Boeing 737 -- the pilot had to pedal with his legs all while pulling on the wings to flap at the same time. And he had to do it fast enough to fly

Not sure I understand this. Presumably it's powered by flapping the wings. If he flaps the wings with his arms what are the pedals for? It strikes me that a conventional glider with that sort of wing span would remain airborne from a tow for the same length of time.

[B-Valvs]

Because the plane has a wingspan of 104 feet -- which is comparable to that of a Boeing 737 -- the pilot had to pedal with his legs all while pulling on the wings to flap at the same time. And he had to do it fast enough to fly

Not sure I understand this. Presumably it's powered by flapping the wings. If he flaps the wings with his arms what are the pedals for? It strikes me that a conventional glider with that sort of wing span would remain airborne from a tow for the same length of time.

Great minds think alike Hagar. I doubt the flapping action had anything to do with the duration of the flight.

8-)

[Steve M]

Because the plane has a wingspan of 104 feet -- which is comparable to that of a Boeing 737 -- the pilot had to pedal with his legs all while pulling on the wings to flap at the same time. And he had to do it fast enough to fly

Not sure I understand this. Presumably it's powered by flapping the wings. If he flaps the wings with his arms what are the pedals for? It strikes me that a conventional glider with that sort of wing span would remain airborne from a tow for the same length of time.

Great minds think alike Hagar. I doubt the flapping action had anything to do with the duration of the flight.

8-)

Could it be that the pedals are connected to the wing ropes and the pedals are moved both clockwise and counterclockwise? Also.. There is one force to contract the wings and only a loss of altitude to expand the wings.

(Rambling on.    )

[drbob777]

Interesting read.

But its still a powered launch so its not really human powered in terms of getting airbourne

[patchz]

I also wondered how much distance the tow gave it. I did see lift happening when the wings pulled down. It needs a knuckle dragger with long arms at the helm. Like Magilla Gorilla..

[color=#000000]As soon as I read that, I instantly got a picture in my mind of Magilla furiously pedaling for all he's worth, whilst dropping like a rock. Thanks for the laugh Steve, I needed it.

[FuturePilot]

Just wait everybody!! A hundred years from now in the 'eco-world' there will be commercial airliners really cheap because you do the work!! 

[Steve M]

[quote]Just wait everybody!! A hundred years from now in the 'eco-world' there will be commercial airliners really cheap because you do the work!!