CONCEPTION AND OPTIMIZTION OF MAN-POWERED PLANES: CYCLAIR

Abstract

The whole range of possible flying speeds has been investigated for man-powered aircraft of optimum design using the present state of technology. A minimum power requirement of under 200 watts is possible with extreme large planes which are very difficult to handle and to fly. There is an optimum configuration at a flying speed of about 8.5 m/s. This plane with about 25 m wing span has a power requirement slightly below 200 watts (near the ground) with a glide ratio of 44 and can be flown by experienced light weight pilots. CYCLAIR can be built at a weight of slightly over 30 kg with the following design characteristics: fully sandwich covered wings with laminar flow airfoil; carbon fibre reinforced epoxi main spar in 4 sections designed for 3 times the static load; sandwich covered cabin with semi-supine pilot position; all-moving elevator; all-moving rudder with auxiliary rudder; rear propeller to protect the tail surfaces from avoidable turbulence. This CYCLAIR plane is similar to rhe MIT designed MICHELOB LIGHT EAGLE which is larger, a little heavier and optimized for slower flying speed. With this MICHELOB LIGHT EAGLE, MIT will make the flight legend of Daedalus a reality in the near future. This 110 km long flight from Crete to the Greek mainland will be the climax and the preliminary end of man powered flight which will remain a privilege for few enthusiasts only because it requires both a high-grade technology and high athletic effort of the pilot. The prizes donated by Henry Kremer were worldwide a great incentive for the development of many human-powered aircraft. The precise design of high-strength ultralight construction is also necessary for planes with the lowest possible power requirement, like electric or solar powered planes or unmanned high altitude crafts for communication relays in the stratosphere.