Human power helicopter (female)

[Chris Burgess]

I attended today's test of a human powered helicopter. I have posted a picture of the pilot, a 24 year old 107 pound competition bicyclist (translate "engine"). Craft weighed 101 pounds. Four rotors 42 feet diameter each. Frame mostly carbon fiber tube. Note last photo, rotor is spinning but below hover rpm of 18. It moved 10 inches (slid) during one of the four or so run-ups. A mechanical problem in the gearing caused it to be postponed until tomorrow. I have two students in the morning so I can't go back. It is a very interesting project, built by engineering students at the university of Maryland. I think it will eventually do the flight profile. I hope I can be there. 60 seconds, achieve a 3 meter height, remain within 10 meter flight box.

[Chris Burgess]

From the EAA News: Pilot Judy Wexler, a 24-year-old biology graduate student at UM, pedaled furiously, taking the craft several inches into the air for about 4 seconds, unofficially setting the world record for human-powered helicopter flight with a female pilot. The National Aeronautical Association (NAA) must verify the record by reviewing the video, which should happen by Friday morning. Kristan Maynard, NAA judge, will perform the verification, but indicated the flight looked successful, according the team’s release.

I missed it. I was out with two students. I guess I set my priorities right, right?

[gyro]

Chris, will there be any public footage available for this event?

[Scary Gary]

Wrong!
You should have called in sick and gone to see her fly.
That's what I would have done.

[Chris Burgess]

Some more photos. Yes, I think the video will be posted, I just can't get to it yet (and I don't know how.!!) Got another student today if the rain holds off.
Photos: First shows the wing construction, note carbon fiber spar. Second tells about the drive pulley. Third shows the foam from which the leading edge is "hot wired". Fourth is a trailing edge repair (I saw a heat gun used and some other liquid stuff?). Last is looking at one of the rotors spanwise.

[StanFoster]

Chris- Thanks for posting this. What an interesting project that requires minimim of materials stressed to near max to hold up. That would be so cool to witness. Those engiineering students should all do well in their careers. Stan

[JEFF TIPTON]

For those that Microsoft Silverlight software installed go to this link and scroll down. You will see a link to the video.

http://eaa.org/news/2011/2011-05-09_helo.asp

[Chris Burgess]

Rotors diagonally opposed rotated in the same direction, so rotor rotation was opposite to the next one if you went around the quad-rotor helicopter. If I am off (no students) on the next scheduled "full" flight profile test, you can bet I will be there.

[hillberg]

Last one I saw fly had 8" @8 sec. same config. The "string" thing has a built in problem-as the string winds off the spools the ratio changes,or the lines tangle.

[Resasi]

Chris found this. Puffin it isn't but a good first step.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencete...elicopter.html

[RotoPlane]

They done did it.....

YouTube - First Person: Building a Human Helicopter

[Chris Burgess]

RotoPlane, thanks for posting the video. I want to be there when they go for the prize which requires a 3 meter height. I talked to a student that was (he said) 134 pounds. He seemed to indicate he was the pilot (engine) for the longer/higher flight (at a later date). When exactly they will get there I don't know. My photo shows the "other" pilot in the familiar to gyro pilots, "beanie" hat with a rotor on top. Does he look "ready" or what? The remote controlled Maple Seed model was flown for the crowd while I was there. That thing is another remarkable piece of autorotation aviation. Sorry I didn't get a better picture of it. The guy wouldn't stop moving long enough.!!!