A Brief History of Human Powered Transportation

The Gossamer Condor and Albatross

The diagram shows the pilot's environment in the Gossamer Albatross, a plane designed to cross the Manche between England and France. The upright seat position was favored by the cyclist-pilot for endurance flying. Power was taken from the pedals by a long, low- friction chain to the shaft of the pusher propeller.

From: Burke, "The Gossamer Condor and Albatross: A Case Study in Aircraft Design," Aerovironment (1980), and NASSA