On Sun, 09 Jul 2006 21:46:27 -0700, stoney <stoney@the.net> wrote:
- Refer: <gpm3b2lh4kumu1shnh7kmbsbo7u1gmu10s@4ax.com>

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1152395411588&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home

Aviation history is made by 'flapper'
'Perfect day,' says jubilant designer as ornithopter flight caps 30-year
dream
Jul. 9, 2006. 07:19 AM

But this year it was truly do or die. DeLaurier retired from the U of T
in June. He will still maintain his lab and advise students, but his
days of full-time teaching are over. The motorcycle-loving,
straight-talking engineer, a kind of aviation cowboy, wanted to end his
career on a high note — and what better way than flying his ornithopter.

"I would have felt like a coward if I had this chance to pursue it and I
didn't," he said. But most importantly he had promised his wife, Susan,
that in retirement he wouldn't build any aircraft bigger than his
workbench.

This spring the 10-member team was on standby as an engine problem was
sorted out. And then, suddenly, it was time to once more test the
ornithopter. For the past week team members waited for an email saying
the test flight would be the next morning. But the winds proved too
strong. Then, finally, on Friday night, the weather for yesterday looked
perfect. The final test was upon them.

Now that he has seen his dream come to fruition, he likely will repair
the ornithopter and it will take a place of honour in the Aerospace
Museum at Downsview Park. "We've learned a lot," he said about
yesterday's test. The plane can clearly sustain flight, he said. The
flapping wings work. But they weren't the right size for the
ornithopter, he said. Bigger wings are needed if flight is to be
sustained without a jet engine. And that, he said, costs more money —
about another $100,000. Something a retiring professor simply doesn't
have, he said. "Now if a sponsor came forward ... well, that would be
another matter."

But for now it's likely the gauntlet may be passed to others. "If this
is the end of it, I can retire happy." Back at the hangar, everyone
posed for a team picture — flapping their arms like their beloved
ornithopter. From there it was on to a team breakfast and perhaps a
bottle or two of champagne. After that DeLaurier was headed for a nap
and a long motorcycle ride.

For more information go to http://www.ornithopter.ca

/end

The product of Intelligent Design!
Thanks for this.