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{{Short description|Human-powered aircraft developed by American aeronautics company AeroVironment}}
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
|name = Gossamer Albatross {{DISPLAYTITLE:MacCready ''Gossamer Albatross''}}
{{Infobox aircraft
|image = Image:Gossamer Albatross II.jpg
|caption = The Gossamer Albatross II at ] in 1980 |name = ''Gossamer Albatross''
|image = Gossamer Albatross II in flight.jpg
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
|image_caption = The ''Gossamer Albatross II'' at ] in 1980
|type = ]
|aircraft_type = ]
|national origin = ]
|national_origin = ]
|manufacturer = ] |manufacturer = ]
|designer = ] |designer = ]
|first flight = 1979 |first_flight = 1979
|introduction = |introduction =
|retired = |retired =
|status = ''Gossamer Albatross'' I - ], Virginia, USA<br>''Gossamer Albatross II'' - ] in ], USA
|status = museum piece (both)
|primary user = |primary_user =
|more users = |more_users =
|produced = |produced =
|number built = 2 |number_built = 2
|program cost = |program cost =
|unit cost = |unit cost =
|developed from = ] |developed_from = '']''
|variants with their own articles = |variants =
|developed into = ] |developed_into = '']''
}} }}

|}
The '''Gossamer Albatross''' was a ] built by ] ] Dr. ]'s ]. On June 12, 1979 it completed a successful crossing of the ] to win the second ]. The '''''Gossamer Albatross''''' is a ] built by ] ] ]'s company ]. On June 12, 1979, it completed a successful crossing of the ] to win the second ] worth £100,000 ({{Inflation|UK|100000|1979|fmt=eq|cursign=£|r=-3}}).<ref name="Gossamer Albatross ECN-12665">{{cite web|title=Gossamer Albatross ECN-12665|url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/multimedia/imagegallery/Albatross/#.VRPll_ysXXo|publisher=NASA|access-date=March 26, 2015}}</ref>


==Design and development== ==Design and development==
The aircraft was designed and built by a team led by ], a noted US aeronautics engineer, designer, and world soaring champion. ''Gossamer Albatross'' was his second human-powered aircraft, the first being the '']'', which had won the first Kremer prize on August 23, 1977 by completing a mile-long figure-eight course. The second Kremer challenge was then announced as a flight across the Channel recalling ]'s crossing of 1909. The aircraft was designed and built by a team led by Paul B. MacCready, a noted American aeronautics engineer, designer, and world ]. ''Gossamer Albatross'' was his second human-powered aircraft, the first being the '']'', which had won the first Kremer prize on August 23, 1977, by completing a {{convert|1|miles|km|adj=on}}-long figure-eight course. The second Kremer challenge was then announced as a flight across the English Channel recalling ]'s crossing of 1909.


The aircraft is of "]" configuration, using a large horizontal stabilizer forward of the wing in a manner similar to the ]' successful '']'' aircraft and powered using pedals to drive a large, two-bladed propeller. The ''Gossamer Albatross'' was constructed using a ] frame, with the ribs of the wings made with expanded ]; the entire structure was then wrapped in a thin, transparent plastic (]). The empty mass of the structure was only {{convert|71|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, although the gross mass for the Channel flight was almost {{convert|220|lb|kg|abbr=on}}. To maintain the craft in the air, it was designed with very long, tapering wings (high ]), like those of a glider, allowing the flight to be undertaken with a minimum of power. In still air, the required power was on the order of {{convert|300|W|hp|abbr=on}}, though even mild turbulence made this figure rise rapidly.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gossamer Albatross|url=http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?object=nasm_A19810428000|publisher=]|access-date=March 26, 2015}}</ref>
The Albatross was powered using pedals to drive a large two-bladed propeller. Piloted by amateur cyclist ], it completed the 35.8&nbsp;km (22.2&nbsp;mi) crossing in 2&nbsp;hours and 49&nbsp;minutes, achieving a top speed of 29&nbsp;km/h (18&nbsp;mph) and an average altitude of 1.5&nbsp;metres (5&nbsp;ft).


==The crossing==
]
], April 1979]]
The aircraft is a "]" configuration, using a large foreplane in front of the main wing that is used by the pilot to maintain pitch in a manner similar to the ]' successful ] aircraft. The ''Gossamer Albatross'' was constructed using a ] frame, with the ribs of the wings made with expanded ]; the entire structure was then wrapped in a thin, transparent plastic (] aka ]). The empty mass of the structure was only 32&nbsp;kg (71&nbsp;lb), although the gross mass for the Channel flight was almost 100&nbsp;kg (220&nbsp;lb). To maintain the craft in the air it was designed with very long tapering wings (high ]), like those of a glider, allowing the flight to be undertaken with a minimum of power. In still air the required power was of the order of 0.4 horsepower (300 W), though even mild turbulence made this figure rise rapidly. The Albatross I is on display at the Smithsonian Institution's ].
Just before 6 am on June 12, 1979, amateur cyclist and pilot ] powered the ''Albatross'' to the rehearsed speed of 75 revolutions per minute and took off from a point near ], England. The Channel conditions and lack of wind were ideal for the crossing.


However, problems soon began to affect the aircraft and pilot. Allen's radio failed for a while and he was only able to communicate with the accompanying boats by hand and head movements. In addition, Allen's water supply had been estimated for a two-hour flight, but headwinds delayed the crossing and his supply ran out. Without adequate water, Allen suffered from dehydration and leg cramps.
] in Seattle]]
MacCready's team built two Albatrosses; the back-up plane was jointly tested as part of the ] Langley/Dryden flight research program in 1980 and was also flown inside the ], the first ever controlled indoor flight by a human-powered aircraft. The Albatross II is currently on display at the ] in ].


With increasing headwinds, concern grew that the flight would have to be called off. With the coast of France still unseen, an accompanying boat maneuvered in front of the ''Albatross'' to hook it to safety. However, for the hooking procedure, Allen had gone a little higher and found less air turbulence, so he continued to pedal the aircraft and see if progress could be made. With a calming surface wind, Allen continued, and landed on a beach at ] in France. Allen completed the {{convert|22.2|mile|adj=on|km|abbr=on}} crossing in 2&nbsp;hours and 49&nbsp;minutes, achieving a top speed of {{convert|18|mph|kph|abbr=on}} and an average altitude of {{convert|5|ft|m|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gossamer Albatross|url=https://www.avinc.com/about/gossamer_albatross/|publisher=AeroVironment, Inc|access-date=March 26, 2015}}</ref>{{failedverification|date=October 2023}}
==Solar-powered variants==
A follow-up to the ''Albatross'' was the solar-powered ] in 1980. The ''Penguin'' airframe had been built by the MacCready team as a third craft for the cross-channel attempt; in most of its dimensions it was three-quarters the size of the ''Gossamer Albatross'', and was held in reserve as a speedier if slightly higher-powered alternative to be used if it were found that the Channel weather precluded success by the slower-flying Albatross. The ''Penguin'' was fragile and not very airworthy, but led to a better aircraft, the ''''']'''''. Designed by Paul MacCready, the Solar Challenger had a wingspan of 14.3 meters (47 ft) and a mass of 90 kilograms (198 pounds). Its wings were covered with 16,128 ] cells, with a total output power of 2,600 watts, about enough to drive a pair of hair dryers. The ''Solar Challenger'' was capable of reaching an altitude of 12,000 feet (3,700 m). On July 7, 1981 the aircraft, piloted by Steve Ptacek, accomplished the 262 kilometer (163 mile) flight from ] to ] in the UK.<ref name="vector1"></ref>


==Versions==
==Specifications (Gossamer Albatross)==
] in Seattle]]
''Data from MuseumofFlight.org''<ref name="Gossamer Specs">, Referenced May 19, 2010</ref>
MacCready's team built two Albatrosses; the back-up plane was jointly tested as part of the ] Langley/Dryden flight research program in 1980 and was also flown inside the ], the first ever controlled indoor flight by a human-powered aircraft. The ''Gossamer Albatross II'' is currently on display at the ] in ].


Alistair Cooke devoted some of his '']'' broadcast of 15/17 Jun 1979 to Allen's achievement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b040by88|title = BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, John Wayne obituary, 1979}}</ref>
{{aircraft specifications


==Prizes==
|plane<!-- options: plane/copter -->
For his work on the ''Gossamer Albatross'', MacCready was later awarded the ].<ref name="Gossamer Albatross ECN-12665"/>
|prop<!-- options: jet/prop/both/neither -->


==Specifications==
|ref=
]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=MuseumofFlight.org<ref name="Gossamer Specs">, Referenced May 19, 2010</ref>
|prime units?=imp


|crew= 1 |crew=One (pilot-engine)
|capacity= |capacity={{convert|145|lb|adj=on}} useful load
|payload main= |length m=
|length ft=34
|payload alt=
|length main= 10.36 m |length in=0
|length alt= 34.0 ft. |length note=
|span main= 29.77 m |span m=29.77
|span alt= 97.7 ft. |span ft=
|span in=
|height main= 4.88 m
|span note=
|height alt= 16.0 ft.
|height m=
|area main= 45.34 m<sup>2</sup>
|height ft=16
|area alt= 488 ft<sup>2</sup>
|height in=0
|height note=
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=488
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=19.5
|airfoil= |airfoil=
|empty weight main= 32 kg |empty weight kg=
|empty weight alt= 70 lb |empty weight lb=70
|loaded weight main= 97.5 kg |empty weight note=
|loaded weight alt= 215 lb |gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=215
|useful load main= 65.5 kg
|gross weight note=
|useful load alt= 145 lb
|max takeoff weight main= |max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight alt= |max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general= |more general=


|eng1 number=1
|engine (prop)=
|eng1 name=Human
|type of prop=
|eng1 type=
|number of props=
|power main= |eng1 kw=
|power alt= |eng1 shp=
|eng1 note=
|power original= |power original=
|power more=


|more power=
|propeller or rotor?=<!-- options: propeller/rotor -->
|propellers=
|number of propellers per engine=
|propeller diameter main=
|propeller diameter alt=


|prop blade number=
|max speed main= 28.97 km/h
|prop name=
|max speed alt= 18 mph
|cruise speed main= |prop dia m=
|cruise speed alt= |prop dia ft=
|prop dia in=
|cruise speed more
|prop note=
|stall speed main=

|stall speed alt=
|never exceed speed main= |max speed kmh=
|never exceed speed alt= |max speed mph=18
|max speed kts=
|range main= 56.33 km
|max speed note=
|range alt= 35 miles
|ferry range main= |max speed mach=
|ferry range alt= |cruise speed kmh=
|ferry range more= |cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed kts=
|ceiling main=
|cruise speed note=
|ceiling alt=
|climb rate main= |stall speed kmh=
|climb rate alt= |stall speed mph=
|stall speed kts=
|loading main=
|stall speed note=
|loading alt=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=
|range miles=35
|range nmi=
|range note=
|combat range km=
|combat range miles=
|combat range nmi=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range nmi=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=
|ceiling note=
|g limits=
|roll rate=
|glide ratio=
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=0.44
|wing loading note=
|disk loading kg/m2=
|disk loading lb/sqft=
|disk loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight= |thrust/weight=
|power/mass main=
|power/mass alt=
|more performance=

|avionics=


|more performance=
}} }}


==See also== ==See also==
{{aircontent| {{aircontent
|related= |related=
*] *]
|similar aircraft= |similar aircraft=
*]
*] *]
|lists= |lists=
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}} }}


==Citations==
==Notes and references==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}

===Further reading=== ===Further reading===
{{refbegin}}
*Allen, Bryan. ''Winged Victory of "Gossamer Albatross"''. ], November 1979, vol. 156, n. 5, p. 640-651
*Allen, Bryan. "Winged Victory of ''Gossamer Albatross''". '']'', November 1979, vol. 156, n. 5, p.&nbsp;640-651
*Morton Grosser. Gossamer Odyssey: The Triumph of Human-Powered Flight. MBI Press, 2004; Dover Publications, Inc., 1991; Houghton Mifflin Co., 1981
*Morton Grosser. On Gossamer Wings. York Custom Graphics, 1982 *Morton Grosser. ''Gossamer Odyssey: The Triumph of Human-Powered Flight''. MBI Press, 2004; Dover Publications, Inc., 1991; Houghton Mifflin Co., 1981
*Morton Grosser. ''On Gossamer Wings''. York Custom Graphics, 1982
*Ciotti, Paul. More With Less - Paul MacCready and the dream of efficient flight. Encounter Books, 2002. ISBN 1-893554-50-3
*Ciotti, Paul. ''More With Less - Paul MacCready and the dream of efficient flight''. Encounter Books, 2002. {{ISBN|1-893554-50-3}}
{{refend}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{commonscat|Gossamer Albatross}}
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{{AeroVironment aircraft}} {{AeroVironment aircraft}}
{{Aviation lists}}


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Latest revision as of 21:12, 21 November 2024

Human-powered aircraft developed by American aeronautics company AeroVironment
Gossamer Albatross
The Gossamer Albatross II at Dryden Flight Research Center in 1980
General information
Typeexperimental aircraft
National originUnited States
ManufacturerAeroVironment
Designer Paul MacCready
StatusGossamer Albatross I - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Virginia, USA
Gossamer Albatross II - Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington, USA
Number built2
History
First flight1979
Developed fromGossamer Condor
Developed intoGossamer Penguin

The Gossamer Albatross is a human-powered aircraft built by American aeronautical engineer Dr Paul B MacCready's company AeroVironment. On June 12, 1979, it completed a successful crossing of the English Channel to win the second Kremer prize worth £100,000 (equivalent to £639,000 in 2023).

Design and development

The aircraft was designed and built by a team led by Paul B. MacCready, a noted American aeronautics engineer, designer, and world soaring champion. Gossamer Albatross was his second human-powered aircraft, the first being the Gossamer Condor, which had won the first Kremer prize on August 23, 1977, by completing a 1-mile (1.6 km)-long figure-eight course. The second Kremer challenge was then announced as a flight across the English Channel recalling Louis Blériot's crossing of 1909.

The aircraft is of "canard" configuration, using a large horizontal stabilizer forward of the wing in a manner similar to the Wright brothers' successful Wright Flyer aircraft and powered using pedals to drive a large, two-bladed propeller. The Gossamer Albatross was constructed using a carbon fiber frame, with the ribs of the wings made with expanded polystyrene; the entire structure was then wrapped in a thin, transparent plastic (mylar PET film). The empty mass of the structure was only 71 lb (32 kg), although the gross mass for the Channel flight was almost 220 lb (100 kg). To maintain the craft in the air, it was designed with very long, tapering wings (high aspect ratio), like those of a glider, allowing the flight to be undertaken with a minimum of power. In still air, the required power was on the order of 300 W (0.40 hp), though even mild turbulence made this figure rise rapidly.

The crossing

The cabin of the Gossamer Albatross, Armstrong Flight Research Center, April 1979

Just before 6 am on June 12, 1979, amateur cyclist and pilot Bryan Allen powered the Albatross to the rehearsed speed of 75 revolutions per minute and took off from a point near Folkestone, England. The Channel conditions and lack of wind were ideal for the crossing.

However, problems soon began to affect the aircraft and pilot. Allen's radio failed for a while and he was only able to communicate with the accompanying boats by hand and head movements. In addition, Allen's water supply had been estimated for a two-hour flight, but headwinds delayed the crossing and his supply ran out. Without adequate water, Allen suffered from dehydration and leg cramps.

With increasing headwinds, concern grew that the flight would have to be called off. With the coast of France still unseen, an accompanying boat maneuvered in front of the Albatross to hook it to safety. However, for the hooking procedure, Allen had gone a little higher and found less air turbulence, so he continued to pedal the aircraft and see if progress could be made. With a calming surface wind, Allen continued, and landed on a beach at Cap Gris-Nez in France. Allen completed the 22.2-mile (35.7 km) crossing in 2 hours and 49 minutes, achieving a top speed of 18 mph (29 km/h) and an average altitude of 5 ft (1.5 m).

Versions

The Gossamer Albatross II at the Museum of Flight in Seattle

MacCready's team built two Albatrosses; the back-up plane was jointly tested as part of the NASA Langley/Dryden flight research program in 1980 and was also flown inside the Houston Astrodome, the first ever controlled indoor flight by a human-powered aircraft. The Gossamer Albatross II is currently on display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington.

Alistair Cooke devoted some of his Letter From America broadcast of 15/17 Jun 1979 to Allen's achievement.

Prizes

For his work on the Gossamer Albatross, MacCready was later awarded the Collier Trophy.

Specifications

Data from MuseumofFlight.org

General characteristics

  • Crew: One (pilot-engine)
  • Capacity: 145-pound (66 kg) useful load
  • Length: 34 ft 0 in (10.36 m)
  • Wingspan: 97 ft 8 in (29.77 m)
  • Height: 16 ft 0 in (4.88 m)
  • Wing area: 488 sq ft (45.3 m)
  • Aspect ratio: 19.5
  • Empty weight: 70 lb (32 kg)
  • Gross weight: 215 lb (98 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Human

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 18 mph (29 km/h, 16 kn)
  • Range: 35 mi (56 km, 30 nmi)
  • Wing loading: 0.44 lb/sq ft (2.1 kg/m)

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Citations

  1. ^ "Gossamer Albatross ECN-12665". NASA. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  2. "Gossamer Albatross". Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  3. "Gossamer Albatross". AeroVironment, Inc. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  4. "BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, John Wayne obituary, 1979".
  5. MuseumofFlight.org, Referenced May 19, 2010

Further reading

  • Allen, Bryan. "Winged Victory of Gossamer Albatross". National Geographic, November 1979, vol. 156, n. 5, p. 640-651
  • Morton Grosser. Gossamer Odyssey: The Triumph of Human-Powered Flight. MBI Press, 2004; Dover Publications, Inc., 1991; Houghton Mifflin Co., 1981
  • Morton Grosser. On Gossamer Wings. York Custom Graphics, 1982
  • Ciotti, Paul. More With Less - Paul MacCready and the dream of efficient flight. Encounter Books, 2002. ISBN 1-893554-50-3

External links

AeroVironment aircraft
Human-powered
Solar-powered
Piloted
NASA UAVs
Military UAVs
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