Todd Reichert, a doctoral student in engineering at the University of Toronto built the world's first successful human-powered ornithopter. That's an aircraft that flaps its wings like a bird. This past summer, Reichert was able to bring his craft called "Snowbird" aloft for 19.3 seconds at 16 MPH.
Reichert, 28, lost 18 pounds over the summer in his quest to fly the Snowbird, which has a 105-foot wingspan (just six feet shorter than a Boeing 737) and weighs just 94 pounds. It is made of carbon fiber and balsa wood.
Video at the link.
http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-09/video-canadian-student-flies-bird-first-time-using-record-setting-ornithopter | Photo: University of Toronto
I can give you Todd Reichert's address after I check with him to get his permission.
The flights took place at our little airfield here near Tottenham, so we watched the project over a period of 3 summers. I think the costs were north of $200,000.
call or send an email and I will connect you with someone on the team. 905 936 5529
regards, mike