Delta-winged craft

The delta-wing apparatus replicates one of Leonardo’s most original projects on hovering flight, or gliding flight, the fruit of repeated and careful observations of bird flight. The scientist designed a wing that would have allowed the device to fly by exploiting the rising air currents.

The machine, partly similar to the modern hang glider, is equipped with a triangular sail, fixed upon a cross-like structure and held in tension by a metallic border onto which the fabric is sewn. Beneath the sail, the pilot, probably seated on a saddle, can make corrections to the direction of flight using a rudder and a pedal, both connected to the sail with cords. The pilot uses the rudder to maneuver the cords for inclining the wing upward or down, whereas he can make use of the pedal to flex the wing right or left.