Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-ndw9j Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T10:21:54.915Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Man-Powered Aircraft

A Design Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

T. R. F. Nonweiler*
Affiliation:
College of Aeronautics, now Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Queen's University of Belfast

Summary

An appreciation is made of recent experimental and project work of relevance to the design of a very light weight aircraft capable of being taken off and flown by two men. The emphasis is on the aerodynamic problems involved. It is concluded that, although there are many difficulties still needing attention, all the information supports previous assertions that flight by muscular power alone is possible. The merits and de-merits of a particular projected design are studied, and its performance and stability assessed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1958

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Shenstone, B. S. (1956). The Problem of the Very Light- weight, Highly Efficient Aeroplane. Canadian Aeronautical Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 3, 1956.Google Scholar
2.Nonweiler, T. (1956). The Man-Powered Aircraft—A Preliminary Assessment. CoA Note No. 45, 1956.Google Scholar
3.Nonweiler, T. (1956). The Air Resistance of Racing Cyclists. CoA Report No. 106, 1956.Google Scholar
4.Wilkie, D. R. (1957). The Production of Mechanical Work by Man. MAPAC Communication, 1957. See also UNNA, P. J. H. (1946). Limits of Effective Human Power. Nature, Vol 158, pp. 560561, 1946.Google Scholar
5.Ursinus, O. (1936, 1937). Mitteilungen des Muskelflug— Instituts. Nos. 1-6, Flugsport, 1936 and 1937.Google Scholar
6.Nonweiler, T. (1957). Experimental Determination of the Force and Pressure Distribution Upon a NACA 65A(10)12 Section. CoA Report. (To be published.)Google Scholar
7.Loftin, L. K. and Smith, H. A. (1949). Aerodynamic Characteristics of 15 N.A.C.A. Airfoil Sections at Seven Reynolds Numbers from 07 x 106 to 90 x 106. N.A.C.A. T.N. No. 1945, 1949.Google Scholar
8.Wortmann, F. X. (1957). Experimentalle Untersuchungen an neuen Laminarprofilen fur Segelflugzeuge und Hubschrauber. Z. Flugwiss. 5. Heft 8, 228, 1957.Google Scholar
9.Wieselsberger, C. (1921). Ueber den Flugwiderstand in der Nache des Bodens. Z.F.M. Vol. 12, p. 145, 1921.Google Scholar
10.Lock, C. N. H. (1937). Airscrews. Handbook of Aeronautics, Vol. III, Pitman, 1937.Google Scholar
11.Robinson, J. L. (1957). An Assessment of the Performance, Stability and Control of a Man-Powered Aircraft. CoA Thesis, 1957. (Unpublished.)Google Scholar
12.Burton, W. E. (ed.) (1949). Engineering With Rubber. McGraw-Hill, 1st Ed., 1949.Google Scholar
13.Wilkinson, K. G. (1954). Progress in Sailplane Design. Journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Vol. 58, No. 523, 1954.Google Scholar
14.Duncan, W. J. (1952). Control and Stability of Aircraft. Cambridge University Press, 1952.Google Scholar