This would be a human powered ornithopter with bouncy weighted wings.

The wings could be made bigger because of the weights (maybe at the tips), and a resonance could be set up.

You would probably have to start this project off working only in still air and then prototype up to something sturdier.
-- JesusHChrist, Feb 02 2017

[-]. You do know that there are companies that let you go in real planes in exchange for money?
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Feb 02 2017


The weights wouldn't add energy, only store it, and at a much higher weight cost than other methods.
-- Voice, Feb 02 2017


I like this as an adjunct to a conventional Hoppity Hop riding balloon, or possibly Rody. The idea being that the energy stored on prior hops makes increasingly high and long hops possible. I suspect that there would be a point of diminishing return, though. Maybe not.
-- bungston, Feb 04 2017


Material science would have to come to the party with a very light and strong material that enjoys the bounce.
-- wjt, Feb 04 2017


// and then prototype up to something stupider //

Oh, my mistake, I must fetch my reading glasses.
-- BunsenHoneydew, Oct 30 2017



random, halfbakery