Low & Slow Issue 18 1972

Page 1

LOW & SLOW 18

' PSEUDO-ORNITHOPTER PROPULSION' (unabridged) written by Grant Smith, If you want to technically pursue this topic with the autlnr, yau may contact him at 2597 Klngstowne Dr., Walled Lake, Michig,m.

Abstract It is pos5:ible to simulate ornithopter operation in a ri~id light weight airfrarre by: vertically shifting the operator's center of gravity while the aircraft follows a cyclic flight path. This creates a relative motion between the aircraft center of gravity and wing surface which allows a propulsive work input to the system witliout the weight and complexity of jointed wings or pedal-propeller drives. A simplified mathematical model is presentedwhich allows performance estimates based upon assumed pilot input. Indications are that pseudoornithoper proP,ulsion may be a suitable method for propelling man-powered aircraft as 1t allows reductions in the ~ight and complexity of the aircraft while providing a large effective propulsive area coupled with low drag whi e coasting and an effective means of providing arm power assist in a single place aircraft.


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Low & Slow Issue 18 1972 by US Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association - Issuu