In article ,
CaveLamb wrote:

Steve Hix wrote:
In article ,
CaveLamb wrote:

Steve Hix wrote:
In article ,
TonyW wrote:

On 10/6/2010 2:43 AM, wrote:
http://acidcow.com/pics/13751-made-b...3-pics-1-video
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Karl
Not the first, it was done 30 years ago, Google Gossamer Albatross.
GA was prop-driven, not an ornithopter (thrust from wing flapping).

This one doesn't seem to have enough power to take off on its own, but
enough to
barely maintain level flight.

Mildly creepy looking under weigh; looks like a sailplane with severe
low-frequency flutter.

This one was not an ornithopter either...
It just LOOKS like one...

How much flapping do you have to do before it's an ornithopter?

Not being able to take off under its own power doesn't help, mind.


Oh, I'd guess - enough for the wings to actually FLAP rather than just FLEX.

To your mind, what would make it flapping rather than flexing?

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