Introduction
Manned Ornithopters
Full History
Getting Started
How to Design & Build
Competition Info
Free Plans
Newsletter
History Archive
Video Clips
Model Kits
Teachers Guide
Web Site Links
About this Site
Join the Society
Contact Info

|
 |

Getting
Started
|
 |
|
Model
kit from BirdKit.com, a
good way to start building ornithopters. |
Seeing them
fly is amazing, but it is not easy to build an ornithopter. You
can improve your chances of success if you start off with a proven
design before beginning your own experiments. In fact, your best
bet is to start off with one of the simple, rubber-band-powered
ornithopters, instead of launching right into a much more complex
design with electric motor and radio control. Although the rubber-powered
models may seem antiquated, the experience of building one will
teach you many important concepts that will help ensure the success
of your future endeavors.
We have provided
some free plans on this web site, which
you can use to build your own ornithopters. These are all proven
designs. However, they are not all suitable for beginners. You may
find it easier if you get started with a simple model kit, like
those available from BirdKit.com.
The special parts in the kit, such as the pre-bent crank wire and
interlocking wood parts, will save you a lot of headaches.You will
also save money because the kit costs less than buying all of the
materials separately.
There are a
few things you should watch out for. Beware of any tutorials that
supposedly show you how to build an ornithopter from "household
materials". These sub-standard ornithopters will not fly. There
is also a product called the Quest "EZ" Ornithopter, which
we hear is not as easy to build as the name might suggest. Any ornithopter
model kit that uses a lot of plastic and bamboo in its construction
(instead of balsa wood) is not likely to fly very well. Those materials
are simply too heavy.
Once you get
started with a simple model kit, or the free plans, you can go to
the next page and start learning how to
design and build your own ornithopters.
|
 |