The Southampton University Man Powered Aircraft (or SUMPAC) on 9 November 1961 became the first
human-powered aeroplane
A human-powered aircraft (HPA) is an aircraft belonging to the class of vehicles known as human-powered transport.
Human-powered aircraft have been successfully flown over considerable distances. However, they are still primarily constructed a ...
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.
[Guttery 1969, p. 70.]
Design and development
The aircraft was designed and built by a team of post-graduate students from
Southampton University
, mottoeng = The Heights Yield to Endeavour
, type = Public research university
, established = 1862 – Hartley Institution1902 – Hartley University College1913 – Southampton University Coll ...
. Intended to compete for the £50,000 Kremer Prize (requiring successful completion of a one-mile (1.6 km) 'figure of eight' course) the project was funded by the
Royal Aeronautical Society
The Royal Aeronautical Society, also known as the RAeS, is a British multi-disciplinary professional institution dedicated to the global aerospace community. Founded in 1866, it is the oldest aeronautical society in the world. Members, Fellows ...
.
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
Cover or covers may refer to:
Packaging
* Another name for a lid
* Cover (philately), generic term for envelope or package
* Album cover, the front of the packaging
* Book cover or magazine cover
** Book design
** Back cover copy, part of ...
with silver-doped
Nylon
Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers composed of polyamides ( repeating units linked by amide links).The polyamides may be aliphatic or semi-aromatic.
Nylon is a silk-like thermoplastic, generally made from pet ...
the aircraft now sports a transparent plastic skin on the
fuselage
The fuselage (; from the French ''fuselé'' "spindle-shaped") is an aircraft's main body section. It holds crew, passengers, or cargo. In single-engine aircraft, it will usually contain an engine as well, although in some amphibious aircraft t ...
.
The SUMPAC was powered using pedals and chains to drive a large two-bladed
propeller
A propeller (colloquially often called a screw if on a ship or an airscrew if on an aircraft) is a device with a rotating hub and radiating blades that are set at a pitch to form a helical spiral which, when rotated, exerts linear thrust upon ...
. Piloted by noted gliding instructor and test pilot
Derek Piggott, its first flight on 9 November 1961 at
Lasham airfield
Lasham Airfield is an aerodrome located north-west of Alton in Hampshire, England, in the village of Lasham.
It was built in 1942 and was a Royal Air Force Station during the Second World War, many significant operations being flown from i ...
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.
Details of SUMPAC
/ref> After a crash in 1963 which caused damage to the fragile structure it was decided to retire the aircraft although it had been repaired.Southampton
Southampton () is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. It is located approximately south-west of London and west of Portsmouth. The city forms part of the South Hampshire, S ...
.
Specifications (SUMPAC)
See also
References
Notes
Bibliography
*
* Guttery, T.E. ''The Shuttleworth Collection''. London: Wm. Carling & Co, 1969. SBN 901319-01-5
Man powered flight advances
{{refend
Aircraft first flown in 1961
Human-powered aircraft
1960s British experimental aircraft
Science and technology in Hampshire
University of Southampton
Single-engined pusher aircraft
Shoulder-wing aircraft