Human-powered helicopter wins Sikorksy Prize for 64.1 second flight

This human-powered helicopter going by the name AeroVelo Atlas went up into the air 3.3 meters maintaining altitude for a massive 64 seconds. Using only wits, years of practicing aeronautical engineering and two calves. Given this amazing feat, the team is the first to have won the Sikorsky prize.

The powerhouse cycling the helicopter, Todd Reichert together with Cameron Robertson is part of the startup called Aerovelo. These two aeronautical engineers successfully funded the Atlas project through Kickstarter a year ago.

The guy powering the machine puts a lot of heart into the exercise (demonstration rather). Third time lucky, he says that his initial two attempts resulted in what is known as a vortex ring state. This according to Popular Mechanics happens when “helicopter essentially gets “sucked down by its own downwash.”

Tricky business powering the helicopter so don’t expect to be using it on your way to work anytime soon. It’s not just about having ultimate calve strength, it’s also about gradually powering up and maintaining the speed. “If you lay off the power even a little bit, or make any sharp control movement, you can crash,” Reichert said.

Also, as you can see in the video, the machine is massive! A whole soccer stadium big. It’s insane seeing how two organic calves lifts an aircraft more than 3 meters in the air.

What’s more important though is that the team’s design of the AeroVelo Atlas manages to let the pilot keep control. This is what sets it apart from its closest rival.

There’s a similar breakthrough dubbed the Gamera which took flight in 2011. Although pretty impressive, this one wasn’t designed with a control system. Pilots operating the helicopter, simply couldn’t operate under the strict 10 meter radius guidelines. The Atlas, on the other hand, only drifted in a 9.3 meters. Well under the required code necessary to claim the prize.

Besides from having a funny name the Igor I. Sikorsky Human Powered Helicopter Competition is actually very uptight. Established in 1980 by the American Helicopter Society, the code requires for a flight lasting longer than a minute, reach the 3 meter altitude and maintain control within a 10 meter radius. The AeroVelo Atlas is the first to receive this reward. An award of a massive US$250000.