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From: Miloch <Miloch_member@newsguy.com>
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Subject: Southampton University Man Powered Aircraft (or SUMPAC)
Date: 28 Oct 2018 08:25:32 -0700
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SUMPAC
The Southampton University Man Powered Aircraft (or SUMPAC) on 9 November 1961
became the first human-powered aircraft to make an officially authenticated
take-off and flight. It was designed and built by Southampton university
students between 1960 and 1961 for an attempt at the Kremer prize, but it was
never able to complete the 'figure-of-eight' course specified to claim the prize
money.
The aircraft was designed and built by a team of post-graduate students from
(requiring successful completion of a one-mile (1.6 km) 'figure of eight'
course) the project was funded by the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Role
Human-powered aircraft
First flight
9 November 1961
Number built
1
The aircraft is of conventional configuration, with the exception of a pylon
mounted pusher propeller, and is constructed from balsa, plywood and aluminium
alloy. Originally covered with silver-doped Nylon the aircraft now sports a
transparent plastic skin on the fuselage.
The SUMPAC was powered using pedals and chains to drive a large two-bladed
propeller. Piloted by noted gliding instructor and test pilot Derek Piggott, its
first flight on 9 November 1961 at Lasham airfield covered a distance of 70
yards (64 m) and climbed to a height of six feet (1.8 m). The longest flight
made was 650 yards (594 m) rising to a maximum height of 15 ft (4.6 m). Turns
were attempted, with 80 degrees the best achieved. A total of 40 flights were
made by SUMPAC. After a crash in 1963 which caused damage to the fragile
structure it was decided to retire the aircraft although it had been repaired.
The SUMPAC is currently on display at the Solent Sky museum; it was loaned for
some time to the Shuttleworth Collection but now resides in its hometown of
Southampton.
Specifications (SUMPAC)
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 24 ft 9 in (7.54 m)
Wingspan: 80 ft 1 in (24.4 m)
Wing area: 300 sq ft (27.9 m2)
Aspect ratio: 21.3
Airfoil: NACA 65a 818
Empty weight: 128 lb (58.1 kg)
Gross weight: 268 lb (121.6 kg)
Performance
Never exceed speed: 21 mph; 18 kn (33 km/h)
g limits: +1.5 -1 at 26.4 km/h (16.4 mph; 14.3 kn)
Maximum glide ratio: 34 at 105 km/h (65.2 mph; 56.7 kn)
Rate of sink: 37 ft/min (0.19 m/s) at 27 km/h (16.8 mph; 14.6 kn)
Lift-to-drag: 36 at 32 km/h (19.9 mph; 17.3 kn)
Wing loading: 0.89 lb/sq ft (4.35 kg/m2)
*
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