Swimming in Currents of Air

Leonardo's explorations of the motion of air were closely linked to his observations of water. Just as he studied how fish swim in currents of water, he investigated how birds fly in air currents and winds. He never designed a successful flying machine, but this machine represents the closest he came. It resembles today's hang gliders, except that the pilot not only hangs in the glider, but he adjusts the outer portions of the wings through a system of ropes and pulleys. Leonardo patterned his wings on bats and birds of prey.