Human Powered Flight Group

The Royal Aeronautical Society and Human Powered Flight

The Man Powered Aircraft Group of the Royal Aeronautical Society originated in 1959 when the members of the Man Powered Group of the College of Aeronautics at Cranfield were invited to become a group of the Society. Its title was changed from 'Man' to 'Human" in 1988 in recognition of the many successful flights by woman pilots. Without the generosity and enthusiastic support of the late Mr Henry Kremer, human powered flight would probably still be only a dream. By offering prizes for the various competitions which have been set, he has provided a focus for research and made possible the building of extraordinary aircraft. Over the years he has donated over £275,000 of his own money to encourage greater achievement in human powered flight.

Human Powered Flight - Towards a Practical Sport

For designers these machines offer a most exciting challenge. Ultra lightweight materials have revolutionised techniques of construction, producing aircraft with a wingspan of around 25 meters, and an all up weight of little over 30 kilograms. Where the aircraft of the 1970's were so flimsy that they could only be flown in virtually still air, the machines now being built can cope with light winds. We have reached the transitional period in human powered flight. The basic research has been done, and this next stage will lead to more practical aircraft, which can be built by a group of enthusiasts and flown as a sport. For the pilot, the human factors involved are unique, offering a challenge not found in any other branch of aviation. Control of a slow flying, lightweight aeroplane demands a high degree of skill. In addition the pilot must generate sufficient power to take off and stay airborne. As designs progress, so it has become less necessary for the pilot to be a highly trained athlete. Anyone is a potential HPA pilot. One of the ultimate aims of the Group is to promote human powered flight as an Olympic sport.

The Kremer Prizes

£150,000 in prizes for human powered flight to be won

Thanks to the generosity of the late Mr Henry Kremer, there are three Kremer Competitions at the present, one for a flight round a specified twenty six mile Marathon distance course, in a time of under one hour, one for a sporting aeroplane and one for Schools within the UK.

The first two competitions stretch present technology to the limit, and perhaps beyond. But at the same time there are groups all over the world who are able to share in and benefit from the research of the record breakers, and build their own more straightforward aircraft, but using materials which only a few years ago would have been considered impossibly exotic and expensive. To design. build and fly a machine such as these that uses nothing but human power is one of the most exciting projects and challenges.

The winning of either of these two competitions will bring nearer the day when human powered flight can be a sport with wide appeal and many participants. These competitions have been designed to further this progress, and at the same time to develop smaller more manoeuvrable and even more practical aircraft, capable of tight turns in continuous flight. In evaluating the details of the contests, a great deal of theoretical calculation was carried out, and the organisers are confident that developing an aircraft which will be capable of winning either competition will be a formidable challenge to designers, constructors and pilots. The competitions are open to entrants from all over the world, but to be eligible for a prize, the flight must be made within the United Kingdom under officially observed conditions.

It has always been the hope of the Royal Aeronautical Society that one day in the not too distant future, a human powered aircraft will be designed which will be fully manoeuvrable and be able to fly in normal day to day conditions, and that from this aeroplane a sport will develop in which many will be able to participate. The rules for the competition for designing such an aeroplane are shown below. and before long it is our hope that such practical aeroplanes will be opening the sport of human powered flight to enthusiasts all over the world.

Schools Competition

Open to any Youth Group in the UK, this competition was launched in 2006. Youngsters have always shown their ability to pilot. Now here is encouragement for them to be involved in the creation of the machine. The conditions are far less stringent than for any previous competition. A cash prize and a trophy will be awarded annually for the flight of longest duration that year. Two ground-handlers are allowed to assist in the take-off. It can be done. The precedent for this is the Aslam HPA built by students of Dr Keith Sherwin in Singapore. Upper age limit is 18. The RAeS HPAG currently includes Dr Keith Sherwin, Dr Bill Brooks, Professor John Wimpenny, John McIntyre, Fred To, and Chris Roper, all of whom have designed HPA.

We are providing information and support to participating teams. HPA have been built with very modest equipment, and construction should be well within the scope of a school`s workshop. It is anticipated that flights could be performed on a typical school playing field, or similar open space. The rules also constrain that the plane must be deriggable suitable for transporting.

This page is maintained by John McIntyre.
Last updated 2 March 07.