First Flapping, Two-Winged Aircraft Takes Flight

First Flapping, Two-Winged Aircraft Takes Flight: Discovery News

July 24, 2009 — The world’s first successful flight of a self-powered, rudderless, flapping aircraft has been achieved by engineers from AeroVironment.

The NAV, or nano air vehicle, operates by using two flapping wings, which also function as the rudder, elevators, ailerons and engine. With its two wings, the NAV is able to hover, move forward and backwards, and change its elevation. In flight, the NAV almost appears to replicate the movements of a hummingbird.