How Do You Build An Ornithopter?
An ornithopter is an airplane that flies by flapping its wings. Leonardo da Vinci had plans for one back in the 1400s, but the first ornithopters weren’t built until the 1870s. They still beat the Wright Brothers by more than 30 years. By 1942, ornithopters had been built that could carry a human being. Although they’ve never really “taken off” for human flight, enthusiasts say ornithopters could potentially fly with less fuel and more maneuverability than either regular airplanes or helicopters. Rubberband-powered orhithopter models are a fascinating way to learn more about how birds and insects fly. Start with one of the model kits available; once you learn the basics, you can try a more advanced model or create your own ornithopter using plans available online. Purchase an ornithopter model kit (see Resources below). Trace tail and wing shapes onto tissue paper, and cut them out. Assemble the fuselage (body) from provided balsa wood pieces and epoxy or cyano-acrylic glue (such as Su
