Building An Ornithopter, Canada

Some helpful resources for hobbyists include The Ornithopter Design Manual, book written by Nathan Chronister, and The Ornithopter Zone web site, which includes a large amount information about building and flying these models.
As demonstrated by birds, flapping wings fer potential advantages in maneuverability and energy savings compared with fixed-wing aircraft, as well as potentially vertical take-f and landing. It has been suggested that these advantages are greatest at small sizes and low flying speeds.
Unlike airplanes and helicopters, the driving airfoils the ornithopter have a flapping or oscillating motion, instead rotary. As with helicopters, the wings usually have a combined function providing both lift and thrust. Theoretically, the flapping wing can be set to zero angle attack on the upstroke, so it passes easily through the air. Since typically the flapping airfoils produce both lift and thrust, drag-inducing structures are minimized. These two advantages potentially allow a high degree efficiency.