Human Kite flying

The engineer's suit is made from a 200 square foot 'kite', powered by motorised wings which 'amplify' Smeets's arm movements

Smeets takes a run-up for his test flight. The 31-year-old engineer claims that he 'flew' 300 feet and stayed in the air for a minute

Smeets's invention uses accelerometers and motors to 'amplify' the flapping of his arms

Smeets' video has provoked controversy online, with many viewers claiming that it must be faked. The video shows a flight in a park in the Hague, which lasted about a minute.

The 31-year-old engineer claims that his 'flight' isn't a feat of magic - just clever engineering.

The wireless engines in the wings work as 'amplifiers' for Smeets's own arms, allowing him to flap wings that would otherwise be far too large for a single human.

The use of wireless tech and accelerometers has allowed Smeets to overcome a puzzle that has baffled inventors including Leonardo da Vinci.

The Wii motion sensors in the arms 'sense' Smeets movements, helped by an accelerometer from an HTC Wildfire S smartphone. The movements are transferred into Turnigy motors which give Smeets the power to move the 200 square foot wings.

'Ever since I was a little boy I have been inspired by pioneers like Otto Lilienthal, Leonardo da Vinci, says Smeets.

The project has taken six months, with Smeets blogging his progress and taking advice from fans.

Smeets 'lifts off' in a bird suit built from 200 square foot kite wings with motors in the wings that 'amplify' his flapping

Smeets in triumph after his successful 'test flight' - the engineer is sharing his techniques openly online so others can build their own 'wing suits'