An ornithopter is a device that flies by flapping its wings. How is it different from an airplane or helicopter? Those machines are driven by rotating airfoils. In an ornithopter, the driving airfoils have an oscillating motion instead. This imitates nature, because no animals have any rotating parts. Some manned ornithopters have made successful flights. Ornithopters have been around a long time. The first ornithopter, the size of a pigeon, was flown in 1870. Ornithopters require more sophisticated technology than airplanes, so it was not until 1942 that a manned, engine-powered ornithopter was successfully flown (more info). Flapping wings are potentially more fuel-efficient than rotary-driven aircraft. Build your own ornithopter: kits available here. What little we know about past ornithopter research has been pulled together from scattered sources. There are some great resources available today, which make it much easier to learn about flapping-wing aircraft. Nathan Chronister The Ornithopter Zone (contact)

Ornithopter Examples

Ornithopter Hobbyists: For many years, hobbyists have enjoyed building and flying their own ornithopters. The ornithopter provides enduring satisfaction: Although it's now easy to get started in this hobby, you can go on and pursue an endless variety of more advanced projects.

Toy Ornithopters: Many people were first introduced to the ornithopter concept through a toy such as the classic Tim Bird from France, or one of the newer radio-controlled toy ornithopters.

Micro Air Vehicle Ornithopters: Researchers are working to reduce the size of ornithopters. Some of these tiny ornithopters can hover in place and carry useful payloads such as cameras. Typically these ornithopters are controlled by radio.

Manned Ornithopters: The ornithopter was originally conceived thousands of years ago, as a way for people to fly. Hot air balloons and airplanes were achieved first, due to their relative simplicity, but now several manned ornithopters have made successful flights.

Q: What is an "ornithopter"?
A: An ornithopter is a device that imitates the flapping-wing flight found in nature. The word "ornithopter" (c.1908) combines the ancient Greek words for "bird" and "wing". An ornithopter doesn't need to have feathers, though. What makes it birdlike is the flapping motion! Airplanes have a rotating propeller. Helicopters have a rotary wing that provides both lift and thrust. But animals don't have any rotating parts!

Q: Why flapping wings?
A: I build ornithopters because people are blown away when they see one of these machines, flying high overhead, doing something they thought was utterly impossible. There are practical benefits as well: flapping wings potentially offer improved efficiency, more lift, higher maneuverability, and reduced noise compared with the rotary-driven airplanes and helicopters.

Q: Have people ever flown in an ornithopter?
A: Yes. Adalbert Schmid's engine-powered manned ornithopters, flown in 1942 and 1947, were the most successful to date. Several other manned ornithopters have made successful flights. more

Q: How does an ornithopter fly?
A: The ornithopter works on the same principle as the airplane. The forward motion through the air allows the wings to deflect air downward, producing lift. The flapping motion of the wings takes the place of a rotating propeller. more

Q: Why doesn't the upstroke cancel out the downstroke?
A: The force produced by a wing depends on the angle the wing as held at, relative to its motion through the air. This is called the "angle of attack". During the upstroke, the angle of attack is reduced, keeping air resistance to a minimum. more

Q: Can I build my own ornithopter?
A: Yes! In fact, building an ornithopter is not as difficult as you might think. Many people build ornithopters as a hobby or school project. There are free plans on this web site, but you will have a better chance of success if you start with a kit.

Q: Where can I get funding to build a manned ornithopter?
A: I don't know of any funding sources. I can only suggest that if you build a working, radio-controlled model of your proposed design, that will probably make it much easier to get funding.
  

More About Ornithopters

For a good overview of what has been done in the field of flapping wing aircraft, visit our What's Been Done page. There, you will learn about the history of ornithopters, and you'll get some ideas for your own ornithopter designs. Also be sure to visit the How To links on the left side of this page, if you would like to build an ornithopter of your own.

Flapping wings can launch a great science fair investigation or school project. With today's simplified designs, it's even possible to hold a school contest where students compete for the longest flight times. Ornithopters are a really engaging, hands-on way for kids to learn about science. Visit our Teachers Guide or Science Fair page to find out more.