[Spaceships] Ornithopter Wings no longer TL5+2!

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by vierasmarius

Well, I'd call it at least TL9 for the purpose of practical uses. Remember that flying toys have been around since ancient times (such as this early Chinese bamboo helicopter), so I have no problem allowing tiny applications to exist before a full-scale design is close to feasible. It is unfortunate that Spaceships 7 doesn't give an alternate TL for an Ultra-Tech ornithopter though. Especially considering that the quote right next to the system description is from Dune, a decidedly UT setting (if somewhat anachronistic at times).

The issue is that flapping wings are very efficient and maneuverable at small sizes. It will always be at best a gimmick for anything approaching human sizes, and at worst close to impossible.