First human-powered aircraft without engines made by Southampton University students

November 23, 2022 By Jozeph P

(Image Credit Google)

Students from the University of Southampton have been working together on an unusual project for years, as was first reported by Interesting Engineering. They have been working on an aircraft known as a human-powered aircraft that is only propelled by the pilot's body power (HPA). In March, the team's Lazarus design helped them win the inaugural Formula Flight competition. The Southampton University Human Powered Aircraft Society designs, constructs, and evaluates its own human-powered aircraft (SUHPA). Because the only source of power for these aircraft is the pedaling of the pilot, they provide a significant engineering problem. [caption id="attachment_65264" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Human-Powered Aircraft With No Engines

Image: Southampton University[/caption] The Formula Flight competition is organized by the Royal Aeronautical Society's Human Powered Flight Group. A sport that combines "extraordinary athleticism" and "near impossible engineering" is human-powered flying. Because the human body can only exert its maximal power for a limited amount of time, the aircraft used in the sport must have a low cruise speed and be constructed of lightweight materials. They can only fly in weak winds as a result, which makes taking off and maintaining flight difficult but not impossible. The human-powered aircraft built by each team must be flown during the competition. The aircraft must be a new design, powered only by the pilot's body weight, be heavier than air, fly for more than five seconds, and land in acceptable condition. Crash landings are not accepted. To build their airplane, the Southampton team mostly used balsa wood, carbon fiber, and XPS foam. The COVID-19 pandemic caused some little delays, but they ultimately finished Lazarus and made their first flight in June 2021. The Lazarus requires a crew to fly, take off, and land, and to provide lateral stability, its wings stretch upward in the air. The Southampton University Human Powered Aircraft Society (SUHPA), which was created by the students to ensure that work on the HPA project continues even after they graduate from Southampton University, demonstrates how dedicated they are to it.

By Jozeph P

Journalism explorer, tech Enthusiast. Love to read and write.

First human-powered aircraft without engines made by Southampton University students

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