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1. Introduction
It is the intention of this note to set down a few
tentative, but (it is hoped) realistic, assessments of
the problems involved in the design of an aircraft
which by the crew's own muscular efforts shall take off
from the ground and sustain steady flight, for a short
period. The desire to fly is one of the oldest dreams
of mankind, and it has of course found partial fulfilment
with the help of external sources of power : but the
ultimate achievement of unaided flight is yet to be
realised. Everest was "conquered" with the help of the
internal combustion engine in 1933 ; but the ultimate
achievement was the greater glory of 1954. If the
conclusions of this paper are correct, man-powered
flight can surely be another "crowning glory" very soon.
These conclusions may of course be incorrect; the
amount of work done hardly justifies unqualified confidence
in their truth. Yet a useful purpose will be served by
this note if it causes sufficient enthusiasm or distrust to stimulate researches by those better qualified than
the author to dogmatise on many of the aspects of the
problem treated...[cont.]. |
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