Human-powered gliders

[Mxsmanic]

I know that some gliders have small powerplants that they can use in
an emergency for thrust, but are there any gliders that are simply
powered by the pilot? Is the thrust required to keep a glider in the
air small enough that a human pilot could supply it for any length of
time? They seem very efficient, so it occurred to me that a crank or
pedals or something driving a small propeller might be sufficient to
stay aloft in bad situations. Would it?

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Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

[Casey Wilson]

"Mxsmanic" > wrote in message
...
>I know that some gliders have small powerplants that they can use in
> an emergency for thrust, but are there any gliders that are simply
> powered by the pilot? Is the thrust required to keep a glider in the
> air small enough that a human pilot could supply it for any length of
> time? They seem very efficient, so it occurred to me that a crank or
> pedals or something driving a small propeller might be sufficient to
> stay aloft in bad situations. Would it?
>
> --
> Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

No.

[kontiki]

A crank or pedals or something driving a small generator might be
sufficient to keep the computer running until it can be safely shut
down.

[Richard]

"Mxsmanic" > wrote in message
...
>I know that some gliders have small powerplants that they can use in
> an emergency for thrust, but are there any gliders that are simply
> powered by the pilot? Is the thrust required to keep a glider in the
> air small enough that a human pilot could supply it for any length of
> time? They seem very efficient, so it occurred to me that a crank or
> pedals or something driving a small propeller might be sufficient to
> stay aloft in bad situations. Would it?
>
> --
> Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

No, man power has only worked in extremely light weight gliders.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gossamer_Albatross
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIT_Daedalus

[buttman]

On Jan 28, 11:10 am, "Casey Wilson" > wrote:
>No.

OH MAN YOU SURE SHOWED HIM

[Casey Wilson]

"buttman" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> On Jan 28, 11:10 am, "Casey Wilson" > wrote:
>>No.
>
> OH MAN YOU SURE SHOWED HIM

What?

[Frank]

"Richard" > wrote:
>
> "Mxsmanic" > wrote in message
> ...
>>I know that some gliders have small powerplants that they can use in
>> an emergency for thrust, but are there any gliders that are simply
>> powered by the pilot? Is the thrust required to keep a glider in the
>> air small enough that a human pilot could supply it for any length of
>> time? They seem very efficient, so it occurred to me that a crank or
>> pedals or something driving a small propeller might be sufficient to
>> stay aloft in bad situations. Would it?
>>
>> --
>> Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.
>
> No, man power has only worked in extremely light weight gliders.
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gossamer_Albatross
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIT_Daedalus

A trained person could generate just enough power to keep the Gossamer
Albatross in the air, which required 0.3 hp (200 W).
The power of a sustainer motor of a glider equals between: 18-30 hp (14-22
kW), so this is too much for a human pilot to supply.