[Al Simmons]

Actually, a scientist built a 1/2 scale model of Quetzalcoatlus about 15 or so years ago and flew it in the desert of West Texas. (yes, they had to 'launch it' off the ground, but, once it was up in the air, it dropped the launching gear and flapped its wings, soaring effortlessly on the wind currents.)

From Wikipedia:"MacCready also developed, for the Smithsonian Institution, a half-scale replica of the giant pterosaur, Quetzalcoatlus northropi. The model had a wingspan of 5.5 meters (18 feet) and featured a complex, computerized control system, just as the full-size pterosaur relied on its neuromuscular system to make constant adjustments in flight."

Here is the link to a short video of its flight:

http://ovirc4.free.fr/Films/maccready.mpg

[RobRoy]

I believe it, but it only proves aerodynamics.

First, it was half scale, and size matters. Second, it was not made of living material.

As I understand it, even with hollow bones, etc., modern birds cannot fly once a maximum weight of around 35 lbs is reached. At that point, it takes more than a pound of muscle/bone/feather/membrane to produce a pound of lift. So the farther from 35 lbs you get, the more impractical it becomes.

I wonder if there was any mylar and carbon fiber in the half scale model? ;)