Is this the first human to fly like a bird? Astonishing video of inventor 'taking off' on kite-like wings using conventional technology assists

Subject: Is this the first human to fly like a bird? Astonishing video of inventor 'taking off' on kite-like wings using conventional technology assists



Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 10:39 PM

Subject: Is this the first human to fly like a bird? Astonishing video of inventor 'taking off' on kite-like wings using conventional technology assists



Hi,

I can't believe most people think this creative invention is not real; that it is an animation. I remember in 1971, in NYC, where I lived at the time, street vendors suddenly started selling a plastic bird which had an elastic that you wound up and then it took off and flew by flapping its wings. A man in France had invented, patented, manufactured and sold millions of them. It was quite a sensation, in all the media. The novelty was that no one had EVER invented something that actually flew by flapping wings like a bird. The secret was the oval wing action at the shoulder that allowed the wing to catch air, press it down, and then bring the wing forward without catching the air. The repeated strokes downward allowed the model bird to rise. For thousands of years no one had ever figured it out. If you have ever gone swimming, you get the idea.

Now this invention is a step above the bird, because it uses small powerful electric motors controlled by motion sensitive Wii handset parts combined with accelerometers from HTC mobile phones. That, plus 200 sq ft of wing, enable the man to take off by running and flapping. He appears to ascend to 100 feet or less and clearly goes 300 feet without trouble, gliding in for a running landing. I have no problem with it. I am absolutely sure this is possible. Look, spy agencies have created little flapping spy insects carrying motors, cameras, zoom lenses, batteries, transmitters and receivers, all small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. Not only that, but some of these spy insects can hover for hours.

I will tell you this: I want one. I don't want to jump off a cliff with a hang glider or an ultralight. I want to take off from a field, and fly around a bit, and why not? God, that looks great. Go to the Daily Mail link to see it or the 14th part of the Youtube series. I hope the FAA doesn't come up with regulations for it that regulate ultralights to a total weight of 250 pounds including the aircraft. Anything weighing more than that is an 'aircraft' subject to thousands of pages of rules and pilot license laws. I imagine this flapping wing device could use a small jet or gas engine to go higher and faster, as batteries drain and die. To me, this is all very exciting. What do you think?

Gordon



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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2118071/The-flying-Dutchman-Video-shows-inventor-Hague-taking-flapping-wings--human-fly-like-bird.html

Youtube in 14 parts:

Here is the flying part, #14:

Flying like a bird | part 14/14

Here are some of the other parts, showing making it:

Moving wingssystem with Wii controller | part 9/14

Is this high enough? | part 12/14

Testflight with wings made from a kite | 13/14

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Is this the first human to fly like a bird?

Astonishing video of inventor 'taking off' on kite-like wings

By Rob Waugh

PUBLISHED: 04:19 EST, 21 March 2012 | UPDATED: 10:24 EST, 21 March 2012

Dutch engineer Jarno Smeets runs through a park in the Hague flapping enormous, kite-like wings - and suddenly 'lifts off', flying 300 feet through the air. Smeets claims to be the first human being to fly like a bird, without a jet or rotors - instead, he uses wings which 'amplify' his muscles, with the motion sensors from Nintendo's Wii transferring motions into motors in the wings.





Smeets lifts off - powered only by a run up and the flapping of the wings, without a rocket or a rotor in sight



The engineer's suit is made from a 200 square foot 'kite', powered by motorised wings which 'amplify' Smeets's arm movements



Smeets takes a run-up for his test flight. The 31-year-old engineer claims that he 'flew' 300 feet and stayed in the air for a minute



Smeets's invention uses accelerometers and motors to 'amplify' the flapping of his arms

Smeets' video has provoked controversy online, with many viewers claiming that it must be faked. The video shows a flight in a park in the Hague, which lasted about a minute. The 31-year-old engineer claims that his 'flight' isn't a feat of magic - just clever engineering. The wireless engines in the wings work as 'amplifiers' for Smeets's own arms, allowing him to flap wings that would otherwise be far too large for a single human. The use of wireless tech and accelerometers has allowed Smeets to overcome a puzzle that has baffled inventors including Leonardo da Vinci.

The Wii motion sensors in the arms 'sense' Smeets movements, helped by an accelerometer from an HTC Wildfire S smartphone. The movements are transferred into Turnigy motors which give Smeets the power to move the 200 square foot wings. 'Ever since I was a little boy I have been inspired by pioneers like Otto Lilienthal, Leonardo da Vinci, says Smeets. The project has taken six months, with Smeets blogging his progress and taking advice from fans.



Smeets 'lifts off' in a bird suit built from 200 square foot kite wings with motors in the wings that 'amplify' his flapping



Smeets in triumph after his successful 'test flight' - the engineer is sharing his techniques openly online so others can build their own 'wing suits'



From: Gordon James Gianninoto