Could an Ornithopter Aircraft Built with Modern Materials and Techniques Fly and Transport Humans?

By definition, a drone is an unmanned vehicle. So it would no longer qualify as a drone if it were manned. Additionally, the typical weight of the battery in a quadcopter is nearly half of the total drone weight ready to fly. Even with this, the flight time is about 30 minutes and the rules require that it is always in sight of the operator. Most drones can only cover a distance of around half a mile before recharging. However, with the right selection of propellers, motors, batteries, or a hybrid power system, and other materials, it is feasible to build a drone capable of carrying one or two individuals for much longer distances, although it would not be as efficient as a fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter due to the inefficiency of the multi-rotor design.

Current Technologies and Future Possibilities

Yes, drones capable of carrying passengers already exist, such as the ehang 216-S, which can carry two passengers for up to 30 kilometers at a speed of 130 kilometers per hour. For longer distances, the viability would depend on the definition of "long distances." However, with advancements in technology, it is theoretically possible to build a drone capable of transporting passengers over much greater distances, provided sufficient funding and the right materials are available.

Designing the Ornithopter Airplane

The question arises whether an ornithopter could be built efficiently enough to be economically successful. It can be created today with modern materials, but the real challenge lies in whether it would be efficient enough to be viable.

Looking to Nature for Insights

By observing nature, we can gain valuable insights. Have you seen any birds large enough to carry a single human being? The answer is no. If a well-designed flying machine cannot achieve this, there must be inherent issues with the design. Larger birds have slower wing beats, which suggests the size of the wing needed to lift both the machine and a person would be substantial. Calculating the power required to flap such a large wing and the material strength and weight of the wing itself would be enormous. A bigger wing would require more power to move through the air, necessitating a similarly massive and heavy engine.

Challenges and Solutions

The larger the bird, the less frequently it flaps its wings, and the more it relies on gliding. Attempting to navigate to specific thermal currents would be a significant challenge. With modern materials and techniques, it would be possible to build such a machine, but it would start with aerodynamics and a completely different set of principles for flight. Once the new principles are integrated, the machine can be developed accordingly.

The process would require meticulous design, engineering, and testing to ensure the ornithopter is both efficient and safe. However, the inherent inefficiencies and technical challenges make it a less viable option compared to fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters for human transport.