Foo - Up in the air with a human-powered helicopter....

Very cool Yahoo! News report of a new human-powered helicopter:

Up in the air with a human-powered helicopter (http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/air-human-powered-helicopter-212542729.html?_esi=1)


http://youtu.be/g3oUkyMae0c

I love it! Too bad it doesn't have a smaller footprint like the Barneycopter, though.

Just when you thought cycling couldn't possibly be made more pointless.

I think it's cool. But seeing how far the gossamer condor and albatross got, it seems the bar is fairly low. I noticed that they had trouble controlling it in the air even within the confines of a gym. Outdoor flights I haven't seen yet. But then, the Gamera, seems to be without any kind of direction control.

The flight was pretty short and seeing as how the albatross had to be operated for 2 hours plus to achieve its goal, it seems that the Gamera should be good for a little more endurance.

I suspect that they should do a little more research into the pedaling cycle. The rider seemed to be bouncing around a lot. It's possible that if they re-sync the hand and leg strokes so that the hand stroke is at it's highest power level when the leg is at its lowest, they may get a more stable power output.

But I'm glad to see them working on it and will be interested to see how far they can push the concept. The Gamera did appear to lift off the ground pretty easily, so they are working in the right direction.

Just when you thought cycling couldn't possibly be made more pointless.

I don't think it's pointless at all. It's an interesting project, and requires engineering students to think hard to get the maximum out of their materials and to really think for themselves.

Yeah, fit was way off and also, rider needs a helmet.

But then, the Gamera, seems to be without any kind of direction control.

Yep. No control system = not a viable aircraft.

So was the guy operting that device a cyclist or a pilot? If a cyclist, he is worthless and full of self loathing, but if he is on the other hand a pilot, he was probably drunk and is bedding the chick in the funny striped clothes as I type, knowing in his heart of hearts that he is the pinnacle of human development and worthy of praise.

I don't think it's pointless at all. It's an interesting project, and requires engineering students to think hard to get the maximum out of their materials and to really think for themselves.

Plus the prize is $250,000, a pretty good point right there.

Sixty seconds at 10 feet, I don't think that group is going to make it with just one guy, but adding another peddler probably exceeds their design. But who knows, with a sprinter type pro cyclist maybe it could happen. Or two tiny cyclists.