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Man as an Aero Engine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

D. R. Wilkie
D. R. Wilkie*
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, University College, London
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Extract

The first basis for the design of any power-driven mechanism is an exact knowledge of the characteristics and capabilities of the power unit available. Without such information no designer is able to start on the initial sketch of the mechanism. The man powered aircraft is no exception and its designers have suffered in the past by insufficient knowledge about man's power. This may seem remarkable because until about two centuries ago almost all the world's work was done by muscle-power, and much of the muscle was human.

Information

Type
Man Powered Aircraft Group
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 64 , Issue 596 , August 1960, pp. 477 - 481
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1960

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