Adjustable-tilt wing

Leonardo tries repeatedly to apply to a flying machine the articulations of a bird's wing in the various phases of flight: he calls this type of mechanical flight instrument flight.

This structure reproduces an articulated wing which can be tilted as needed during the wing beat. In a detailed annotation Leonardo describes the position of the flier's arms and legs, which - by means of ropes - can move the wing so that it cleaves the air edgeways when moved forward, and surface-ways when moved back, so as to reduce the opposition to air. The simultaneous use of hands and feet should also double the power of the beat.
Codex Atlanticus, sheet 934