World's First Pedal-Powered Aircraft [VIDEO]

According to some researchers, Wednesday (22 /9/2010), said that the ornithopter or mini planes, which fly by flapping it's wings and the first time discovered by Leonardo da Vinci, has been flown by human power.



'Snowbird', plane from the University of Toronto is the first human-powered ornithopter that can fly itself, has conducted test flights and breaking the record for flight on August 2nd at Tottenham, Ontario. Inaugural flight was witnessed by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, a team which supervise air sports and aviation's world records.

"Snowbird represents the past dream for flight" said chairman of the developer, Todd Reichert, Ph.D candidate at the University.

Throughout history, countless men and women have aspired to be able to fly under its own control like a bird. Thousands of people have tried to achieve it. This is one of the final representation of the prime aviation firsts. Da Vinci sketched the first human-powered ornithopter in 1485. Snowbird weighs only 94 pounds and has a wingspan of 105 feet(32 metres) or comparable to that of a Boeing 737.

During it's record-setting flight on August 2nd, it maintained both altitude and airspeed for 19.3 seconds, covering a distance of 475 feet (145 meters) at an average speed of 15.9 mph (25.6 kph). It was Todd Reichert who drive it.

It also helped Reichert lost 18 pounds (8.1 kh) of body weight before the flight. Reichert added that the aircraft was created with the resilience of the mind.

"Using the power of man, when walking or cycling, is one form. Nevertheless, the plane is not a practical method of transport. It is also as one form of inspiration for someone to use your body strength and creativity of mind," he said.

In this video below shows that Snowbird is pulled with a rope, and took off in the air to increase the speed. Flapping the wing 16 times before landing again.

"It looks very beautiful" said an unidentified man in the video.


So what's your comment on this pedal-powered aircraft ?