Comments on: Build your own Gossamer Condor

Build your own Gossamer Condor

Egg Shen — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 16:23:10 -0800

The first human-powered aircraft to achieve sustained and controlled flight, the Gossamer Condor (6.3 MB PDF), now belongs to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (2.2 MB JPG). So you'll need to build your own. (previously)

By: ghharr

ghharr — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 16:59:34 -0800

And the University of Maryland Gamera II human-powered quad-copter just hit a record of 8ft in altitude, and is huge and cool (previously).

By: cjorgensen

cjorgensen — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:32:32 -0800

I could have never got the Gamera off the ground. I also don't see the point in trying. It flies in a gym and you can't control it? Give me the Condor and let me fly!

By: gilrain

gilrain — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:36:00 -0800

cjorgensen: I also don't see the point in trying. Well, there's a $250,000 prize. However, it's probably mostly just about the achievement.

By: morganw

morganw — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 18:00:07 -0800

Hmmm... it's good that there are drawings, but if you're going to go to that much effort, wouldn't you want to spend a little more $$ and use carbon fiber like MacCready's later planes? It was pretty awesome to see the Condor up close at Air & Space and see the damned aluminum tube main spar. How they managed to get that thing in the air? Genius & a world-class cyclist. MacCready basically also helped invent modern gliding with his Ring. Humans can't sense gradual climb & fall, so need instruments.

By: Egg Shen

Egg Shen — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 18:04:42 -0800

a world-class cyclist Specifically, Bryan Allen - who seems like he would be awesome to hang out with.

By: scruss

scruss — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 18:36:33 -0800

I had to be moved on from the Air & Space Museum. I just stood and gawped at the Condor. All the other exhibits? Please; strictly for the kiddies. Put a big enough engine on anything and it'll fly, but MacCready's design did so much with so little.

By: AElfwine Evenstar

AElfwine Evenstar — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 19:17:21 -0800

I found this gallery of all of MacCready's different aircraft which is part of this webpage which is apparently by the guy who did the photography for all of MaCready's work.

By: stbalbach

stbalbach — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 19:19:39 -0800

ghharr: "And the University of Maryland Gamera II human-powered quad-copter just hit a record of 8ft in altitude, and is huge and cool (previously)." That was impressive. They have blown past their old record. And seemingly getting close to winning the fabled Sikorsky Prize which requires: a flight duration of 60 seconds and reaching an altitude of 3 meters (9.8 ft) while remaining in a 10 meter (32.8 ft) square. The above video is altitude 8 feet and 25 seconds, though it appears they could have gone longer and higher but were so surprised they were like "come back!" and cut it short.

By: Fizz

Fizz — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 04:46:22 -0800

I always think of something like this whenever I see something like that. .

By: dry white toast

dry white toast — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 14:09:19 -0800

True statement: I read this from the Air and Space Museum. Thanks for the tip!! *scampers off to find Condor*