Has anyone seen the Cybird...I saw it on the internet in a video, and a picture...oh my word...it flies like a bird and actually flaps it's wings...does anyone know anything about this?

It sure is different!

It's called an "Ornithopter", and there have been a few of them developed over the years.

The largest one I saw that actually flew (video) was designed to look like a Pterodactyl, and had quite a large wingspan. Don't remember the particulars, but I'd guess it was in the 8 foot span category. It turned it's head from side to side to steer, used the head as a rudder of sorts.
Dennis-

Dennis, I think I saw that one too. Didn't it have a computer for the head/rudder because it was naturally unstable? I thought they said something about that.

Do you have that link to the video handy?

I think you're right Mike.

Wings,
Sorry, it was a documentary type program on Discovery I think. Never taped it.
Dennis-

I don't think that was an ornithopter though, I think it was just a glider that was designed to see if a Pterodactyl COULD use its head to turn.

So does anyone have a link to the Cybird in question?

I found it Minnflyer,

[link=http://www.cybirdshop.com/]cybird[/link]

Pretty freakin amazing


Try it now Minn

Link didn't work

Hi guys,
ref the Cybird and other Ornithopters, try the following http://www.ornithopter.org

Loads of info/video/forum on ornithopters.

I recently bought a Cybird, flys really well (light winds only), and is an amazing sight. BUT the gear box pinion sheared on only about forth flight. The bird came down like a sack of spuds!! [&o] No damage!!
However I was flying it with a 9.6 V pack when a 7.2 - 8.4 max is recommended (don't berate me too harshly for this, it didn't seem too overly stressed and it was the only pack I had).

Be flying again soon with recommended pack, keep you informed.

Also, I agree with Dennis, the only large terrosaur models I have seen were gliders.

Ted

Big Onion,


Are the controls the same as a plane? The sticks? How much does one cost?

I am almost as impressed by seeing things things as I was seeing RC planes for the first time.

Hi Wings,

all the details (and more ornithoipters other than Cybird) are on the website I quoted. The Cybird price is $229 includind two servo's and a few basic spares. The whole thing just clips together, but you have to solder in place the ESC to the motor.

Controls, yes just like a aeroplane on the sticks. Rudder, elevator (two axis on the tail surface) and throttle (wing speed). The rudder control is identical to an aircraft in function, the elevator is a little different. It alters the pitch of the Ornithopter, but shouldn't be used excessively to reduce height. If the nose (beak?) is lowered too much, it van become unstable. Height it controlled as a combined function of elevator and throttle setting.

In the air the thing looks entirley different, it's almost it's looks almost distract you from concentrating on flying.

Once mine is flying again, I intend to write a review for the UK based "Flying sites" forum. I'll keep you informed.

Regards,
Ted

Cool,

Does the price include batteries?

Do you use a standard tx, rx and servos?

Wow, Big Onion that is neat..they sure look the part. So it fly's really good huh? You can see another video of the Cybird racing a crow on www.racingdevils.com

Just saw the Cybird on Ebay... auction starting at 1 cent.

Kinda cool.

If only I had two cents!!!

Wings, the prices are on the web site, their are a number of options. Basic price ($229) includes motor + two micro servo's. You can buy a package including tx, rx, batteries and charger.

If you were to use your own radio, then weight is an issue so the Rx needs to be a minature. I'm using a GWS 4N (from memory). Standard Tx is fine, but rates would be an advantage for the 'rudder' function as the tail is mounted directly on the servo, so you can't adjust its movement by linkages.

Hi 75 lover, the Cybird comes with a CD-ROM showing it in flight, the video on the racing devils site is taken from that.

I've just ordered the Lithium cells, be in touch when I'm up and running again.

Ted

That's VERY Cool [8D] I especially like the vid with the crow. At one point it looks like the crow actually clipped the cybird.

yeah...I thought you guys would like it....it was very cool.

Hi guys, sorry to be so long replying, finally got the gearbox repaired AND Lipo cells. Flys well, with Lipo pack (lighter, but lower voltage supply) but I've only had one brief flight due to weather conditions. Hopefully I'll get some extensive flying in this week. I'll come back with fuller report.

Ted

The Cybird is made by Neuros Corp in Korea, but they have stopped producing it in order to move the production line to China and reduce costs. It will be available again sometime next year. In the meantime, you folks might be interested in the other RC ornithopters available from The Ornithopter Zone ( www.ornithopter.org/store ). There are several different designs which all flyby flapping their wings like the Cybird. I have flown the Sunbird and Yard Hawk and they are actually better than the Cybird in my opinion. They are more durable, and the Yark Hawk has incredible performance for an ornithopter. It goes really fast and can make tight little turns but is more challenging to fly than the others.

I sell the CYBIRD in Canada and USA for $99.00. They retail online for 149.99 and you can find the original on eBay for sometimes $80-$120). It is a great ornothopter for beginners. I also throw in the 6 AA batteries for remote unit plus an extra set of wings (some folks like to fly dangerously *grin). I can be reached at [email protected] - Have a great day and happy LANDINGS! ~~Wil P.~~ (miniremoter)

I've seen an article on the flying pterodactyl in one of my aviation magazines in the last week or 2. I'll hunt it down tonight when I get home. It was a great article and a big bird. It was part of a school contest/challenge if I recall. More tomorrow. FYI - the wings did move.