News — aircraft

Flapping Aircraft - Ornithopter

Flapping Aircraft - Ornithopter

Flapping Aircraft - Ornithopter

Ornithopter refers to an aircraft that generates lift and forward force through the active movement of wings like a bird, also known as a flapper. Its features are 1. Active movement of the wings. 2. Relying on the reaction force of the wing-flapping the air as the lift and forward force. 3. Maneuver flight by changing the position of the wing and tail.

GoGoBird Bennu ornithopter


Aircraft introduction

The human dream of flying started with a flapping-wing aircraft and was initially realized with a...


Dune Ornithopters and Dragonfly Physics with Prof. Jane Wang

Dune Ornithopters and Dragonfly Physics with Prof. Jane Wang

We are glad to found and share this Youtube video with Go Go Bird ornithopters fans.

In Dune we see the Ornithopters glide and dive and hover, in seamless transitions between methods of flight, which they can do because . . .  CGI. In real dragonflies, how is that possible? And why is that remarkable? Our guest, Prof. Jane Wang of Cornell’s Department and Physics and Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering explains.

Check out more Jane publications at