Human-powered aircraft
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| Aircraft propulsion |
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Shaft engines: driving propellers, rotors, ducted fans or propfans |
| Reaction engines |
A human-powered aircraft (HPA) is an aircraft belonging to the class of vehicles known as human-powered transport.
As its name suggests, HPAs have the pilot not only steer, but also power the aircraft with a system similar to a bicycle. A pair of pedals, moved by the pilot's feet, is connected to a propeller, or in the case of earlier prototypes, an ornithopter mechanism, which powers the aircraft.
Often, a hybrid system is used, where sometimes the pedals would charge a battery, which would, at the push of a button, power an electric motor that is connected to the propeller.
Human-powered aircraft have been successfully flown over considerable distances. However, they are still primarily constructed as engineering challenges rather than for any kind of recreational or utilitarian purpose.