Slideshow
Snowbird Ornithopter
Sep 27, 2010
- The Snowbird is constructed mostly out of fiber, foam and balsa wood in order for it to be very lightweight.
- Image Credit: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, U of T, Flickr
- The wings of the Snowbird ornithopter are 105 feet across, comparable to the wingspan of a Boeing 737.
- Image Credit: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, U of T, Flickr
- The team prepares the Snowbird for flight.
- Image Credit: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, U of T, Flickr
- The record-breaking flight took place at the Great Lakes Gliding Club in Tottenham, Ontario.
- Image Credit: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, U of T, Flickr
- Todd Reichert trained daily in order to be strong enough to operate the ornithopter's wings with his legs.
- Image Credit: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, U of T, Flickr
- The Snowbird was designed to fly at just 16 MPH so it could remain airborne solely under human power.
- Image Credit: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, U of T, Flickr
- Reichert's flight lasted 19.3 seconds and spanned a distance of 159 yards.
- Image Credit: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, U of T, Flickr
- The flight was the first of its kind since the original designs for such a machine were sketched in the 15th century.
- Image Credit: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, U of T, Flickr
- A series of photos showing the Snowbird's wings flapping. Reichert pumped a set of pedals attached to lines and pulleys in order to operate them.
- Image Credit: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, U of T, Flickr
- The Snowbird team.
- Image Credit: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, U of T, Flickr