<P> A team at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, headed by Professor James DeLaurier, worked for several years on an engine - powered, piloted ornithopter . In July 2006, at the Bombardier Airfield at Downsview Park in Toronto, Professor DeLaurier's machine, the UTIAS Ornithopter No. 1 made a jet - assisted takeoff and 14 - second flight . According to DeLaurier, the jet was necessary for sustained flight, but the flapping wings did most of the work . </P> <P> On August 2, 2010, Todd Reichert of the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies piloted a human - powered ornithopter named Snowbird . The 32 - metre (105 ft 0 in) wingspan, 42 - kilogram (93 lb) aircraft was constructed from carbon fibre, balsa, and foam . The pilot sat in a small cockpit suspended below the wings and pumped a bar with his feet to operate a system of wires that flapped the wings up and down . Towed by a car until airborne, it then sustained flight for almost 20 seconds . It flew 145 metres with an average speed of 25.6 km / h (7.1 m / s). Similar tow - launched flights were made in the past, but improved data collection verified that the ornithopter was capable of self - powered flight once aloft . </P> <P> Practical applications capitalize on the resemblance to birds or insects . The Colorado Division of Wildlife has used these machines to help save the endangered Gunnison sage grouse . An artificial hawk under the control of an operator causes the grouse to remain on the ground so they can be captured for study . </P> <P> Because ornithopters can be made to resemble birds or insects, they could be used for military applications such as aerial reconnaissance without alerting the enemies that they are under surveillance . Several ornithopters have been flown with video cameras on board, some of which can hover and maneuver in small spaces . In 2011, AeroVironment, Inc. demonstrated a remotely piloted ornithopter resembling a large hummingbird for possible spy missions . </P>

Who developed the ornithopter flying machine and in what year