In article ,
TonyW wrote:

On 10/8/2010 7:37 AM, CaveLamb wrote:
The op gave us this link...

http://acidcow.com/pics/13751-made-b...cs-1-video.htm
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Which is NOT the same machine as this...

http://www.ornithopter.net/index_e.html

But start he

http://www.ornithopter.net/MediaGallery/Videos/index_e.html


I went back and looked at all the pix and video and I think it's nothing
more than a flapping glider. I seriously doubt it would have ever flown
if not towed...

Apparently, the FAI thinks differently.

http://www.physorg.com/news204386550.html

"But under the power and piloting of Todd Reichert, an Engineering PhD
candidate at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies
(UTIAS), the wing-flapping device sustained both altitude and airspeed
for 19.3 seconds, and covered a distance of 145 metres at an average
speed of 25.6 kilometres per hour."


The engine powered one is a great study of what people do with too much
time and money on their hands...

I don't know whether the ability has any practical use or not...

....but then, I'm betting that you don't either... :-)

--
Alan Baker
Vancouver, British Columbia
http://gallery.me.com/alangbaker/100008/DSCF0162/web.jpg