Ornithopter flapping wing aircraft. A miniature flapping wing aircraft, or ornithopter, in flight. The ornithopter flies by flapping its pair of wings under the power of a small electric motor. This aircraft is being designed to provide silent, low-speed flight and could be controlled remotely to navigate through confined spaces, such as the interior of buildings. Such an aircraft could be used for surveillance purposes. This work is the creation of French inventor Albert Kempf.