‘The Gamera’ is the name of Human Powered Helicopter project undertaken by the students of University of Maryland (Baltimore).
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| Gamera: Human Powered Helicopter made by Students of University of Maryland |
The students will attempt to make history this Wednesday (May 11, 2011) when they set to attempt first full flight of their human-powered helicopter. The students are hopeful to win Sikorsky Prize for their brilliant effort.
Gamera has rotors at each of the four ends of its X-shaped frame. Each crossbar of the frame is 60-feet long and each rotor is 42 feet in diameter. Under the frame sits a pilot's model, where a student will power the helicopter with a combination of hand and foot pedaling.
If Gamera can hover for 60 seconds, reach a height of three meters and remain within a 10-meter box from lift off, the team will take home the Sikorsky Challenge's $250,000 prize. Doing so will also nab the team a world record for first human-powered helicopter powered by a female.
This video was prepared in late 2010 when the vehicle was not fully completed. On May 6 the vehicle was fully assembled for the first time and the weight is down from the 140 lbs quoted in the video to an amazing 100lbs! That's careful design, planning, and testing at work.
