The setbacks and frustratons encountered in the desgn and construction of man-powered aircraft are well-known. Many machines have been completed only after the expenditure of several man-years’ effort. Often, groups have reaped little reward in proportion to their labours. The majority of man-powered aircraft have suffered severe damage early in their flight career either from storage accidents, from mismanagement in ground handling, or following loss of control while in flight. The record underlines the vulnerability of these lightweight, flimsy aircraft and emphasises the difficulty in conducting safe operations while simultaneously achieving productive flying.