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Human flapping-wing flight under reduced gravity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

P.Q. Collins  and
J.M.R. Graham
P.Q. Collins
Affiliation:
Tokyo University, RCAST
J.M.R. Graham
Affiliation:
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
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Abstract

Recent experiments have demonstrated that humans can fly, with great exertion of the leg muscles using fixed wings and a propeller. However, understanding of aerodynamics and physiology show that using existing technology it is not possible for humans to fly on Earth using their arm muscles to flap wings like birds. Human flapping flight might, however, be possible in a partial gravity environment such as a chamber in Earth orbit or on the surface of the Moon. This paper considers the feasibility of this and provides preliminary estimates of the main parameters involved.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 98 , Issue 975 , May 1994 , pp. 177 - 184
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1994 

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