Why do humans love to fly? Why did we invent the airplane? Not because it was easy. Not because it was a smooth user experience like some random app. Not because we wanted fast transport.
But because of the feeling of free flight. Flying like a bird fascinates us, because it grabs the body and catapults it violently upwards. Because you can feel the wind in your face and the force under your wings. Because it softly raises mind and body in the first moment, and batters with nose dive and bank in the next. Nothing there is restrained, or virtual, or "maybe". There is just you and the storm. That's something you can smell and feel and taste. And when you return to earth, you're not the same because you have been there. You have seen it. Fluglicht.
PLEASE NOTE: The project is as of 2025 in hiatus due to lack of sufficient funding. See also the blog.
"The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible."
- Arthur C. Clarke
"It's 2018! We're supposed to have a moon base by now!"
- Elon Musk (when he was still cool)
"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return..."
- Leonardo da Vinci
"I have always wanted to fly like a bird. Now I can."
- ChatGPT
"Als ob! Fliegt das schon?"
- Klemens B.
"No way. No #%*@ing way. This is what I have been dreaming about since I was a small child!!! When can I fly?!?"
- Marina P.
The Concept
Humans are not strong enough for flapping flight. That's why our patent pending technology uses an exoskeleton for the arms and ankles. It can detect the motions of the respective joints. These motions are mirrored onto a pair of robotic flapping wings and rudders fastend to the exoskeleton backpack looking similar to those of birds. The wings are driven by geared electric motors for power. All reactive forces are mirrored onto the exoskeleton. Thus, the pilot can feel the aerodynamic forces acting on the wings. You will be able to fly with it. But not just that. The ultimate goal is to make flying feel as genuine and direct as possible. Give me details!
LINES OF CODE
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PARTS PROTOTYPED
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LIVES TOUCHED
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SUCCESSFUL FLIGHTS
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What You Can Do
If you feel us, there are several things you can do. First of all: tell us! Your love for the concept is the only reason why it might ever be realised. Secondly, consider sharing this page with others! Who would have the skill and the guts to take up the effort again? We have furnished this website with the final state of our work, so anyone can easily continue the journey of the fluglicht airship in the future. join the airship.If you like Fluglicht, give us a high five!
If you couldn't care less, smash this!