scrapbook

Canadian attempt to fly human-powered chopper grounded

VANCOUVER - A group of students from the University of British Columbia tried to soar in a human-powered helicopter on Tuesday but they failed to become airborne.

The group was trying to be the first to launch the helicopter to win an international competition testing human-powered flight.

The team spent six years trying to build their aircraft, which resembles a model of a prehistoric bird built by the Wright Brothers.

Two giant rotors, with wing spans as wide as a Boeing 737, sit atop a tiny seat with bicycle pedals.

Under the rules, the pilot, who was a cyclist, attempted to get off the ground and hover for one minute at a height of three metres.

Unstable air conditions kept him grounded on the first attempt. The rotors smashed into one another. Two tries later, the bike chain popped off and the team called it quits for the day.

"If we get off the ground, that is a huge success," said team leader Mike Georgallis of the Thunderbird Project. "If we go past 20 seconds, it is an even bigger success. If we do the three-metre mark for a minute, I will be crying."

The dream is more than 500 years old. Leonardo da Vinci sketched the concept of a human-powered helicopter in the 15th century.

The official challenge was launched in 1980, when the American Helicopter Association promised $20,000 US to anyone who could meet their rules.

So far, the world record is held by a Japanese team, who rose about 46 centimetres and hovered for 19.5 seconds.

The UBC students say they'll make another attempt on Wednesday.

[original article]

Posted by thinkum at August 11, 2004 01:37 PM