Over 500 years ago, Leonardo da Vinci conceptualized the “ornithopter”, a self-powered flying machine which mechanical flapping wings that create all of the thrust and most of the lift.

A real full-scale ornithopter might finaly materialize thanks to the efforts of Professor James DeLaurier at the University of Toronto’s Institute for Aerospace Studies. In a few weeks, the aircraft will flight at the Downsview airport. Volo Libero, an Italian group is hoping to create a second craft and fly it at the 2006 Olympic games in February of 2006 in honor of Da Vinci.

Via Tecnovelgy < PhysOrg.