Small chopper flight to honour da Vinci genius

8220;The concept of my helicopter comes from Italy, and I8217;ve always wanted to fly it in da Vinci8217;s birthplace,8221; Yanagisawa told Associated Press from Japan8217;s central city of Matsumoto, where he runs an electronics equipment company. 8220;I8217;m very excited.8221;

Renaissance-era visionary da Vinci designed an 8220;aerial screw8221; in the 1480s 8212; believed to be the first portrayal of a vertical-flight machine, according to Italy8217;s National Museum of Science and Technology.The GEN H-4 has two rotors turning in opposite directions to maintain stability, and four engines that enables a 30-minute flight with a top speed of about 56 miles per hour.

Yanagisawa said Vinci Mayor Dario Parrini offered him an opportunity to fly his helicopter when the two met in the Italian city in February.

8220;Italian people seem to welcome my realizing of da Vinci8217;s idea in his birthplace,8221; he said. 8220;I want to make my best flight so that I can live up to their expectations.8221; Although the 165-pound helicopter can ascend up to 165 yards, Yanagisawa said he will fly 16.5 feet above ground during his three, 10-minute demonstrations.