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).[1]
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.[2]
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.[3]
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. [4]
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.[5]
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