Technology

This Human Powered ‘Cycle-Copter’ Just Broke a World Record

University of Maryland students are trying for a goal many have set out to achieve but failed: human-powered flight. In fact, much of the Internet community was recently duped by a man claiming to have built a set of “bird wings” to help him fly by flapping his arms — it was actually an elaborate case of CGI. But these Maryland students have actually achieved it with a quadrotor-like helicopter powered only by one man’s able legs.

The Gamera II was in the air about 40 seconds on Thursday and 35 seconds Wednesday, beating the previous world record of 19 seconds set in 1994 by a Japanese team, according to The Atlantic.

University of Maryland Students Build a Man Powered Helicopter Aiming for Sikorsky Prize

You can barely see the Gamera II's ultra-thin blades and frame, but it's there hovering above the red mat as a man pilots it while biking. (Image: YouTube Screenshot)

Check out the flight that took place Thursday morning:

Here‘s a slightly different angle showing Wednesday’s test flight of what New Scientist calls “the cycle-copter:”

Although these achievements are impressive, it isn’t quite enough. The students are striving for the 60 second mark as they’re vying for the Sikorsky Prize, which comes with $250,000 in winnings from the American Helicopter Society. In order to win the prize, which was established in 1980, the team must keep the man-powered vessel within a designated space and reach at least 9.8 feet high. The Atlantic reports only three teams have even been able to get their helicopters off the ground in trying to win the Sikorsky.

Wednesday was only the team’s first day of testing the newer, 30-pound lighter model.

Here‘s a teaser promotional video of the ’copter earlier this year:

The Atlantic reports the pilot of the Gamera II on Thursday, PhD. student Colin Gore, saying participating in this event is “already one of the highlights of my life.”

Comments (34)

  • agsb2
    Posted on June 22, 2012 at 10:00am

    What I don’t understand is that this was done by the University of Maryland yet the video is in Russian!

    Report Post »  
  • Red Bubba
    Posted on June 22, 2012 at 9:41am

    They‘re in college and they don’t know about tripods yet?

    Report Post » Red Bubba  
  • myway
    Posted on June 22, 2012 at 9:20am

    It is a big target!

    Report Post » myway  
  • g56
    Posted on June 22, 2012 at 12:37am

    I look at this and it makes me think how convenient all those people are standing around the pilot, maybe helping lift it just a little bit, with the cameras far enough away that you couldn’t tell if there might be a little cheating going on.

    Human powered flight is an interesting subject, but it is completely impractical, what use is a human powered helicopter that can only hover in ground effect for a few seconds inside under ideal conditions, and requires an unusually talented and trained athlete to power it?

    Report Post »  
    • psychokittis
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 1:07am

      I think it’s like the Gossamer Albatross-do it just to be see if it can be done.
      Or like climbing a mountain just because it’s there.

      Report Post » psychokittis  
    • tripl-e
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 2:37pm

      Gossamer Albatross or Gossamer Condor, can’t recall which won the channel crossing prize, but in the end it was found that it was easier to teach a highly trained bicyclist to fly the airplane than it was to find a pilot that could sustain the 1/4 horsepower output long enough to cross the English Channel. Practical applications are close to zero but an awful lot was learned about large, lightweight aircraft in the process. Same thing here. Sure it never lifted out of ground effect but lots has been learned in trying. Humans are curious by nature, its how we learn.

      Report Post »  
    • kctruby
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 4:28pm

      The flight was longer then the wright brothers first try – so I would say pretty darn impressive

      Report Post »  
  • NothingToLose
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 11:50pm

    If Wright brothers saw this, would they laugh… or cry?

    Report Post »  
  • chingachgook
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:02pm

    if I am correct this is part of the engineering dept done as a student project. Interesting engineering, but more of a learning experience for those involved that anything else.

    Report Post »  
    • Barry Da Fraud
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 11:10pm

      Aint dat ground effect (compression of air to smooth hard surface) just wonderful?

      Report Post »  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on June 22, 2012 at 7:51am

      That’s what I was thinking, Barry.

      I guess that’s why they have to get to the minimum height to win the prize.

      Report Post »  
  • RamonPreston
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:53pm

    I passed that age about 40 years ago. Think I’ll try a parachute under some powerful ceiling fans pulling up. Next vehicle, a Hover-Round.

    Report Post » RamonPreston  
  • nappy
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 8:50pm

    useless beyond compare. not impressed.

    Report Post »  
    • LostInTheSpin
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 10:06pm

      I’m impressed. Of course, I have enough insight to see what this really means in advancing the evolution of flight using HUMAN POWER.

      Report Post » LostInTheSpin  
  • QC Ghost
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 6:52pm

    But wait. Just pay shipping and handling and we’ll send you TWO…

    Report Post »  
  • inferno
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 6:38pm

    Great camera work. Kinda reminds me of some of the video taken by those who claimed to have filmed Bigfoot. Maybe this could be enhanced as well. The fuzzier it comes out, the easier the sell !
    Just call me a skeptic.

    Report Post »  
  • Bobby P
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 6:30pm

    Does the TSA have to pat them down before flight?

    Report Post » Bobby P  
  • BUDDY LITTLE
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 6:18pm

    YOU GOTTA KNOW our tax dollars probably payed for that!!!!=====millions

    Report Post »  
  • JACKTHETOAD
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:21pm

    Shades of Wile E. Coyote. :)

    Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
    • hayesstephen
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 11:12pm

      Available from the Acme Helicopter Sales.
      Regards. Wily coyote.

      Report Post »  
  • RepubliCorp
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:08pm

    Waste of time……

    Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • rickc34
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 6:15pm

      Maybe Obama could use this on the campain trail instead of charging the taxpayers.

      Report Post »  
  • frodoguevara
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:06pm

    Sorry, I’m aviation nerd, and I find stuff like this really cool. Vertical flight, where you take off going straight up as opposed to needing a runway like you do with fixed wing air craft, is one of the most difficult feats to achieve. This was impressive, and kudos to those engineering students. Now getting that thing 9.8 ft in the air? I don‘t know the mechanics on that design I don’t think will allow it. They’ve got to come up with a way to multiply the effort being put forth by the pilot. Works on fixed wing/bicycle designs but never seen it on a rotary wing, and for good reason. Your not going to find a person who can pedal that fast, and that long to get that kind of lift! O.K. I’m done geeking out now.

    Report Post » frodoguevara  
  • Teufel Hunden
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:58pm

    She ought to stick to a broom!

    Report Post » Teufel Hunden  
  • THX-1138
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:51pm

    Bored!

    Report Post » THX-1138  
  • lukerw
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 4:41pm

    I know that I should be impressed… but all I can think of is Cutting the Grass!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:51pm

    And, it’s so practical!

    I was thinking though, if the blades were actually edged with razor-sharp steel, this would be a great high-volume beheading machine for a certain “peaceful” cult, which shall remain nameless.

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
  • MiddleAmerica2012
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:31pm

    whats funny is they pay for that education LMAO

    Report Post » MiddleAmerica2012  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 5:18pm

      Actually, as a commercial pilot, having a degree in aviation from an aeronautical university, let me assure you, this IS excellent experience.

      Aircraft engineering students get first hand experience at what composite materials are available today, they learn the difficulties and challenges posed in working with such lightweight materials. Everything is a tradeoff. Lighter weight means less to lift, but, you lose structural strength. Finding the right combination is difficult, and there are many considerations for which they must account. Sure, you can read it in a book, but, until you get experience, you don’t really have a sense of just how significant or minor the impact actually is as you manipulate various design or material changes.

      Kudos, and I hope you win the Sikorsky Prize!

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
  • bum
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:15pm

    whoop id dee doo where’s my goblin glider? just kidding great job guys.

    Report Post » bum  
    • NSDQ
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:27pm

      Eaten by a vampire knighthawk of course ;)

      Report Post » NSDQ  
  • cessna152
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:14pm

    35 seconds! WOW! Now I can use one to go from my living room to the kitchen and get a beer.

    Report Post » cessna152  

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