Human powered helicopter
Encyclopedia
A human-powered helicopter is a helicopter
designed to carry at least one person but limited to using only what power is provided by the person(s) on board, usually by pedalling. A high power-to-weight ratio
is needed as in all helicopters. Such aircraft must be light and must have efficient rotary wings. Efficiency for human powered purposes means that the rotors must generate great lift but cause little drag, because drag consumes power.
The Sikorsky Prize
has not yet been awarded. It will be awarded to the first entry to reach an altitude of 3 metres (10 feet) during a flight lasting at least 60 seconds, while remaining in a 10 metre square (32.8 foot square).
On 10 December 1989, the California Polytechnic State University
Da Vinci III, flew for 7.1 seconds and reached a height of 20 cm with two individuals steadying the craft. This steadying is within the rules as long as the person does not assist in the lifting of the craft. This shows that a serious balance issue likely stopped the Da Vinci III from being the first to claim ground effect flight, or flight below 3 metres.
The current world record for human powered helicopters is held by a craft named Yuri I, built by a team from the Nihon Aero Student Group (NASG). In 1994, it achieved a height of 20 cm for 19.46 seconds unassisted and unofficially reached 70 cm during a flight lasting 24 seconds. In Japanese, the name Yuri means "lily", a reference to the shape of the machine. The craft was larger than the 10 metre square, so officials determined that the centre of the craft can move up to and within the 10 metre square area.
On May 11, 2011 Pilot Judy Wexler became airborne a few inches above the ground for about 4 seconds in the Gamera Helicopter
. The flight is considered unofficially to be the first flight of a human powered helicopter by a female.
Drive Train
There are 2 main ways to move the propellers. The first is mechanical, using chains and pulleys. The second method uses an electro-motive design, using a dynamo to generate electricity which in turn drives electric motors to turn the rotor blades.
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
designed to carry at least one person but limited to using only what power is provided by the person(s) on board, usually by pedalling. A high power-to-weight ratio
Power-to-weight ratio
Power-to-weight ratio is a calculation commonly applied to engines and mobile power sources to enable the comparison of one unit or design to another. Power-to-weight ratio is a measurement of actual performance of any engine or power sources...
is needed as in all helicopters. Such aircraft must be light and must have efficient rotary wings. Efficiency for human powered purposes means that the rotors must generate great lift but cause little drag, because drag consumes power.
The Sikorsky Prize
Sikorsky Prize
The Sikorsky Prize is a $250,000 reward established in 1980 by the American Helicopter Society to the first controlled flight of a human powered helicopter. It was named in honor of Igor Sikorsky. The prize has not yet been won...
has not yet been awarded. It will be awarded to the first entry to reach an altitude of 3 metres (10 feet) during a flight lasting at least 60 seconds, while remaining in a 10 metre square (32.8 foot square).
On 10 December 1989, the California Polytechnic State University
California Polytechnic State University
California Polytechnic State University, or Cal Poly, is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, United States. The university is one of two polytechnic campuses in the 23-member California State University system....
Da Vinci III, flew for 7.1 seconds and reached a height of 20 cm with two individuals steadying the craft. This steadying is within the rules as long as the person does not assist in the lifting of the craft. This shows that a serious balance issue likely stopped the Da Vinci III from being the first to claim ground effect flight, or flight below 3 metres.
The current world record for human powered helicopters is held by a craft named Yuri I, built by a team from the Nihon Aero Student Group (NASG). In 1994, it achieved a height of 20 cm for 19.46 seconds unassisted and unofficially reached 70 cm during a flight lasting 24 seconds. In Japanese, the name Yuri means "lily", a reference to the shape of the machine. The craft was larger than the 10 metre square, so officials determined that the centre of the craft can move up to and within the 10 metre square area.
On May 11, 2011 Pilot Judy Wexler became airborne a few inches above the ground for about 4 seconds in the Gamera Helicopter
University of Maryland Gamera Human Powered Helicopter
|-See also:right|thumb|The 1907 Breguet Gyroplane with a quad rotor design-External links:***...
. The flight is considered unofficially to be the first flight of a human powered helicopter by a female.
Drive Train
There are 2 main ways to move the propellers. The first is mechanical, using chains and pulleys. The second method uses an electro-motive design, using a dynamo to generate electricity which in turn drives electric motors to turn the rotor blades.