Flying machine

Leonardo tries to apply in a flying machine the articulations and movements of a bird’s wing: he calls this type of mechanical flight “instrument flight”. These two models reproduce a wing beating device with a screw and lead screw system and an articulated wing which can be tilted as needed during the wing beat. In his notes Leonardo describes the position of the flier’s arms and legs, which – with the help of ropes – can move the wing so that it cleaves the air edgeways when moved forward, and surface-ways when moved back. This reduces the air friction.
Manuscript B, sheet 77 r. - Codex Atlanticus sheet 844