History's 1st Successful Flapping Wing Aircraft

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Leonardo da Vinci first conceived the ornithopter -- a human-powered aircraft with flapping wings -- in 1485. For hundreds of years since that date, many ambitious individuals have attempted to create such an aircraft. Attempted, but failed miserably. There was Dunder Angerhoop of Argentina who used all of his resources from several generations of his families winery business to creating a flapping monstrosity. It was of such proportions that farmers nervously cleared away their sheep for fear that they would be sheared prematurely. The ensuing fiasco was such that from Jujuy to Tierra de Fuego "dunder" means "utter nincompoop" in Argentina. It is such an insulting term that folks usually opt for the more gentle expression, "boludo."

On August 2, 2010, Todd Reichert, a C#n#d##n engineering student (vowels omitted due to the strong reactions even mention of this part of the world inspires among some Americans) successfully flew an ornithopter that he constructed on a sustained flight for the first time in history. Oh, who am I kidding? It is a cumbersome glider of ridiculous design that had the be towed into the air before flying, sort of. Anyway, here it is:

#flapping wing airplane #ornithopter
  • Profile picture of the author KenThompson
    I saw something about that, yesterday.

    Also... not sure what you mean about the vowel substitution
    thing.

    So, let's stir the pot, shall we?

    Canadian

    C a n a d i a n

    CANADIAN




    Ken
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    • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
      Originally Posted by KenThompson View Post

      I saw something about that, yesterday.

      Also... not sure what you mean about the vowel substitution
      thing.

      So, let's stir the pot, shall we?

      Canadian

      C a n a d i a n

      CANADIAN




      Ken
      Now you've done it. This seems to have set off a lightning storm in Bhutan.
      Signature

      Project HERE.

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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    MAN, I feel GYPPED!!!!!! ~96 foot wingspan?!?!? Cessnas have a smaller wingspan!

    And FLAPPING? The wings didn't flap, OK, maybe the tips did a BIT. Did it help?

    And YEAH, I know, cessnas are powered. STILL...

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author gareth
    How come nature never created wheels & humans never got ornithopter's to work ?
    Signature

    Gareth M Thomas
    Serial Entrepreneur
    Auckland, New Zealand

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    • Profile picture of the author Ride_the_lightning
      Banned
      [DELETED]
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      • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
        Originally Posted by Ride_the_lightning View Post

        May be the mankind will rise a big birds one day which will be flying just as well as aircrafts:rolleyes:
        It might happen. I'll tell you this much, some weird miniature spy aircraft will pass as small birds or insects and fool most people (a little bee told me).

        http://www.physorg.com/news180186917.html
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        Project HERE.

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