The idea of human-powered machines that mimic bird flight has been around since ancient times (recall the myth of Daedalus), and there have been several attempts to actually build one over the last thousand years or so. This appears to be the first ever successful flight of its type. Given the history behind it, it would not be the least bit surprising if this is being done just for its own sake.

See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornithopter http://www.flyingmachines.org/davi.html