Comments on: New Glider’s Propellers Worked by Foot Power

By: Torgo

Torgo — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:39:44 +0000

Was this one of Hitler’s earliest “gliders?”

By: LightningRose

LightningRose — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:29:32 +0000

Modern powered gliders are still considered to be gliders (or sailplanes).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_glider

Then there are also the foot launched variety.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powered_hang_glider
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powered_paraglider

But humans just don’t have a good enough horsepower to weight ratio to be useful as aircraft engines. The above glider would probably have had better performance if the extra weight of the propeller and pedal assemblies had been discarded.

By: StanFlouride

StanFlouride — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:09:46 +0000

Yes, it’s no Gossamer Condor or G Albatross.
First, if it has a prop is it still a glider? Even though it is human powered it still is powered.
Second, I think the extra drag from the prop would more than override any advantages.

We know it did not work or we’d have seen it again and again. But more than that the whole configuration of the craft looks like it would glide like a brick.

By: rev pj

rev pj — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:35:58 +0000

Only 43 years later the Gossamer Condor took flight.