The 'Flying Machine' is a glider-like vehicle invented by Leonardo da Vinci, to be used by Ezio in Assassin's Creed II. To fly it over extended distances, Ezio must hover over fires to gain speed and altitude. Though he is vulnerable to attacks by enemy archers while flying, Ezio can retaliate by kicking.
An advanced model used in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood seems to have the ability to flap to gain altitude, rather than use fire, it also seems to have a cannon attatched to it that can fire, as seen in the new launch trailer.
The Palazzo Ducale
The first time Ezio used the Flying Machine is when he and Antonio tried to find a way inside the Palazzo Ducale in order to save the doge from assassination. Leonardo thought that he would not be able to find someone brave enough to test the machine, until Ezio volunteered. The first attempt failed, and Leonardo cursed the machine, throwing the plans for it into his fireplace. However, this inspired Leonardo, as he saw the paper levitating above the fire, buoyed by the hot air. He suspected that the flying machine could work in the same manner. The Thieves Guild set up fires all over the city, and Ezio floated over them to find his way to the palazzo.
Trivia
The Flying Machine, just like the drawings Leonardo made, has a shape that resembles a bat.
It is quite strange that the Flying Machine can hold Ezio's weight while flying, although Leonardo stated that it was designed not to be "lighter than air," but to allow the user to use his/her weight to control the direction and momentum of the machine. In reality, this kind of flight might not be possible, or at least not in the way Ezio uses it.
A guard in Venice referred to the Flying Machine as a "Flying Demon," because no one had ever seen a man flying before.
In history, it was said that one person (a pupil of Leonardo's) did fly it during the Renaissance, but ended up with a broken leg.
In the Battle for Forli DLC, Ezio can use the Flying Machine at any time, though it is not directly involved in any other mission after its use in Venice. This was likely added as another opportunity to gain the Fly Swatter achievement.
A small model of the machine can be purchased as an avatar prop for Xbox 360 avatars via Microsoft points.
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood features a new version of the Flying Machine called the Bomber. It now has a small cannon mounted on it, and bears the Borgia coat of arms on each wing. It was created for the Cesare Borgia by Leonardo, and later destroyed by Ezio.File:Screen shot 2010-10-08 at 7.55.15 PM.pngEzio using the Advanced Flying Machine in Assassin's Creed Brotherhood
