Well as been said, flapping isn't necessarily the way to go, but we know about what it takes to build an actual ornithopter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E77j1imdhQ
It weighs 42 kg and has a 32 meter wingspan (which should also give you an idea of how much weight/wing area is/can be involved.) and it has sustained both altitude and airspeed for 19.3 seconds, but AFAIK, no one has been able to get one to take off completely on it's own, from level ground, in no wind conditions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4VoYrm-wjU
Of course duration/distance/turning has been a challenge for all of these human powered craft.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc7q6l7c32I&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E77j1imdhQ
It weighs 42 kg and has a 32 meter wingspan (which should also give you an idea of how much weight/wing area is/can be involved.) and it has sustained both altitude and airspeed for 19.3 seconds, but AFAIK, no one has been able to get one to take off completely on it's own, from level ground, in no wind conditions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4VoYrm-wjU
Of course duration/distance/turning has been a challenge for all of these human powered craft.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc7q6l7c32I&feature=related
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