Flight Dynamics and System Identification for Modern Feedback Control

Preface

“Ornithopters are mechanical contraptions that flap their wings like birds to generate aerodynamic forces… and they don’t fly” was my uncharacteristically bold and naively undergraduate response to my (unbeknownst to me) future Ph.D. advisor’ question as to whether anyone on my side of the video conference knew anything about ornithopters. He proceded to tell me that in the time since da Vinci’ drawings, ornithopters have been miniaturized and they do now, in fact, fly. Futhermore, he mentioned that he was aquiring a young flock of these birds and was eager to fly, and also that I was to be part of the research effort. And thus were sown the seeds for what took root and grew into an frustratingly enjoyable graduate school experience. ...