"For much of his life, Leonardo was fascinated by the phenomenon of flight, producing many studies of the flight of birds, including his c. 1505 Codex on the Flight of Birds, as well as plans for several flying machines, including a helicopter and a light hang glider. Most were impractical, like his aerial screw helicopter design that could not provide lift. However, the hang glider has been successfully constructed and demonstrated"
Ok so he could have created the early parachute
Although there is evidence that parachutes were invented before his time, many feel he improved upon existing designs or re-designed it completely.
There is a danger of getting crushed, but tests conclude it would have worked.
http://www.leonardo-da-vinci-biography.com/leonardo-da-vinci-parachute.html
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This design would have been made with linen, not sure on how feasible it is, but apparently in 1861, Gustave de Ponton d'Amécourt, a French inventor, created a model powered by steam.
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This is the most practical design. It is claimed to be the first ever plane design capable of flight. Some of the information left in his journals, may have been mis-intentionally left out or made incorrect to protect his ideas.
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This design is considered more explorative rather than functional, but would it have worked?
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I'd love to know more about this design
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some concur that by looking at some of his paintings, however brilliant Leonardo was, he could have only drew from the perspective shown if he had indeed flew his prototypes.
Could he and did he actually fly?
http://sped2work.tripod.com/leoglider.html
http://sped2work.tripod.com/davinci.html