Welcome to Aerosapiens!!! We at Aerosapiens are investigating Ornithopters and the realities of the closest thing to human powered flapping flight in history. I, David Allan Moore, creator and founder of the "Fletcher" and Aerosapiens, have studied the flight technology of all flying things known to man. These studies include: the flight of dinosaurs, mammals (bats, flying squirrels), birds, reptiles, insects, airplanes, helicopters, balloons, ornithopters, hang gliders, parachutes, para-sails, as well as, all archeological findings of mans' ancient attempts at flight. Art history is one of my favorite points of interest when it focuses on human powered flight, such as, Mercury, Icarus, or Leonardo Da Vinci's interpretations on human powered flight. This invention is based on the flying properties of Bats: Order. Chiroptera. Humans are most closely related to bats for they are mammals. The bat is the only, real, mammal that truly flies. My whole life seems to have been pre-determined to invent this most extreme of extreme sports. My father designed jet engines for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Engine company in Connecticut. My mother was a grade school teacher. I was lucky enough to be brought up in an intellectual household where sports and athleticism were encouraged. I was a jet engine mechanic in the United States Air Force where I made the rank of Sergeant and ran a crew of five other mechanics to repair TF-30 Pratt and Whitney Turbofan afterburner jet engines. These engines are used in the F-111 Aardvark and the F-14 Tomcat aircraft. This same engine was one that my father, partially, designed. As of this time, I have completed the last of four prototypes, which proved to me that lift off in a wind is attainable. The first three attempts were not failures in vain. Much knowledge was gained regarding design and materials in each subsequent attempt. At this time, I am working on losing a few pounds and perfecting the ultimate diet, fitness and flying techniques programs to aid other thrill seekers in getting radically high! I have, recently filed a full Utility U.S. Patent and have made a jump from a 35 foot pier into the English Channel at The International Bognor Birdman Challenge, August 21rst, 2005. You can see a video of this attempt at: AOL NEWS: Strange But True: Can Man Really Fly. I have also made a jump into the Hudson River at The Red Bull Flug Tag in New York City on Oct. 5th, 2003. You can see a fun video of all the jumpers there at: redbullflugtagnyc.com . Although these attempts do not look very successfull, a lot of information was gleaned from the photos to help in future modifications. Please stay tuned. Look for updates re: suit modifications and fitness programs because this is not something you can just jump into safely. Thank-you for your interest. Dave / (Aerosapiensman) |