HPO -- ON gliding and sustaining.
This is not a Bicycle-pedal flapping machine, but uses a Rowing-Machine-similar method of flapping the Wings.
Todd and University Of Toronto Students Aerospace/Mechanical as well as students from France, and Holland participated in the construction of the Ornithopter and flew it in many trials.
The video does not illustrate what the FAI official confirmed in the record setting flight:
For 19.5 seconds, and a distance of 145 Meters; the Ornithopter Sustained and succeeded in maintaining Human-Powered Flight.
Even though the initial takeoff to 5-6 Meters of altitude under tow is used to get the Ornithopter to working (and Safe) altitude. When the Powered portion of flight occurred, the Ornithopter gained altitiude from its initial entry, and sustained altitude (and sustained flight) and airspeed, for the determined period, -- After it was released from tow.
Most Gliders are Auto-Towed, Winch -towed, or Aero-Towed to operational Altitude for Launch.
Most Gliders with "Sustain" engines cannot takeoff with the engine in the Glider.
The Ornithopter is a Sustain-type human-powered aircraft.
- Great Lakes Gliding - Member