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Design Philosophy of Man Powered Aircraft

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

J. J. Spillman
J. J. Spillman*
Affiliation:
(Department of Aerodynamics, The College of Aeronautics)
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Extract

In 1961 I assisted Mr. G. M. Lilley in writing a survey of the design and performance of man powered aircraft. Our conclusions were that man powered flight is just possible if the aircraft is carefully designed to give excellent aerodynamic characteristics, with a stiff, light structure and flown by a pilot whose power output is comparable with that of a National Amateur Cycling Champion. Such a machine would not fly more than fifteen to twenty feet above the ground and could operate only in still air conditions. The type of aircraft which emerged from the calculations was similar in general principles to those being developed currently at Hatfield and Southampton.

In this lecture I propose to investigate some of the basic relationships which are involved in the hope that possible ways of obtaining further improvements may emerge. Since the conclusion of our survey was that flight was marginally possible, slight improvements might well go a long way towards making man powered flight possible.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 66 , Issue 623 , November 1962 , pp. 699 - 706
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1962

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References

1. Lilley, G. M. and Spillman, J. J. (1961). A Survey of the Design and Performance of Fixed Wing Man-Powered Air craft. July 1961. Unpublished. Google Scholar
2. Abbott, I. H. and Miller, R. B. (1942). Tests of a Highly Cambered Low Drag Airfoil Section with a Lift Control Flap. NACA Microfilm A.C.R. 121, December 1942.Google Scholar
3. Abbott, I. H. and Miller, R. B. (1943). Supplement to A.C.R. Tests of a Highly Cambered Low Drag Airfoil Section with a Lift Control Flap. NACA Advanced Confidential Report 3D30 Microfilm A.C.R. 135, April 1943.Google Scholar
4. Abbott, I. H. and Fullmer, F. F., (1943). Wind Tunnel In vestigation of NACA 634-420 Airfoil with 25 per cent Chord Slotted Flap. NACA Advanced Confidential Report 3121 Microfilm A.C.R. 151, September 1943.Google Scholar
5. Hoerner, S. F. (1951). Aerodynamic Drag. 1951.Google Scholar
6. Nonweiler, T. (1958). The Man Powered Aircraft—A Design Study. Journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Oct. 1958.Google Scholar