Human-Powered Aircraft Technologies

Faculty Mentor Name

Gary Yale

Format Preference

Poster Presentation and Demonstration

Abstract

The Human-Powered Aircraft Project is focused on the design and development of technologies to be used in the next generation of human-powered aircraft technologies. Human-powered aircraft are a specific and unique type of aircraft powered by only the physical input its pilot (or pilots) can provide. These aircraft require the use of the most current composite technologies combined with creative engineering solutions to create a strong, efficient, and extremely lightweight design. These engineering solutions involve making an aircraft with the wingspan of a commercial airliner (~120 ft) that weighs less than 80 pounds and achieves flight using only the 0.35 horsepower that its human pilot can provide. The Human-Powered Aircraft Project currently has two focuses. The first is to explore the effectiveness of contra-rotating propellers for improving the efficiency and flight qualities, and the second is to develop a flight simulator to be used in the testing and training of pilots. It is expected that the new propeller design will increase the efficiency of the propulsion system and aircraft stability while reducing the overall aircraft size. The team has already created a prototype of the contrarotating gearbox and test stand and is in the process of fabricating the propellers. The team is also currently constructing a mock-up of the cockpit for use in a full cockpit simulator.

Ignite Grant Award, Poster Presentation and Demonstration

Location

AC1-ATRIUM

Start Date

3-31-2017 11:00 AM

End Date

3-31-2017 3:00 PM

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Mar 31st, 11:00 AM Mar 31st, 3:00 PM

Human-Powered Aircraft Technologies

AC1-ATRIUM

The Human-Powered Aircraft Project is focused on the design and development of technologies to be used in the next generation of human-powered aircraft technologies. Human-powered aircraft are a specific and unique type of aircraft powered by only the physical input its pilot (or pilots) can provide. These aircraft require the use of the most current composite technologies combined with creative engineering solutions to create a strong, efficient, and extremely lightweight design. These engineering solutions involve making an aircraft with the wingspan of a commercial airliner (~120 ft) that weighs less than 80 pounds and achieves flight using only the 0.35 horsepower that its human pilot can provide. The Human-Powered Aircraft Project currently has two focuses. The first is to explore the effectiveness of contra-rotating propellers for improving the efficiency and flight qualities, and the second is to develop a flight simulator to be used in the testing and training of pilots. It is expected that the new propeller design will increase the efficiency of the propulsion system and aircraft stability while reducing the overall aircraft size. The team has already created a prototype of the contrarotating gearbox and test stand and is in the process of fabricating the propellers. The team is also currently constructing a mock-up of the cockpit for use in a full cockpit simulator.

Ignite Grant Award, Poster Presentation and Demonstration