Leonardo Da Vinci would be proud: the Snowbird has flown.
Centuries after the Renaissance inventor sketched a human-powered flying machine, Canadian engineering students say they have flown an engineless aircraft that stays aloft by flapping its wings like a bird….
A tow car helped the Snowbird lift clear of the ground, but then the pilot took over, using his feet to pump a bar that flaps the wings — giving it the look of a somewhat drunken bird, according videos of the August event.
The car was need to help with takeoff, because the aircraft had to be so lightweight it could not carry the equipment needed to get itself off the ground.
Oh my, what a marvel of human accomplishment, Leonardo da Vinci’s vision realized, centuries– wait a minute, tow car!? So you’re telling me these Canadian engineering students basically created a glorified hang glider? Dammit, Canada. You always get my hopes up.
Anyway, the thing is pretty majestic to behold, especially set to this music, even if you can obviously see the rope pulling it to get it off the ground at the start:
Tedquarters 
I can’t even imagine what your morning routine of scouring press releases and articles must entail to enable you to consistently find these sorts of things. Well done.