A Plane Powered by Pedals
A bicycle rider can travel a long way using only leg power. But could a person pedal hard enough to fly an airplane? On August 23, 1977, a lightweight aircraft called the Gossamer Condor proved that it was possible to do more than lift off. It could also turn and follow a challenging course.
The flight took place at an airfield near Shafter, California. Cyclist and pilot Bryan Allen sat inside the aircraft and pedaled to turn its propeller. His flight earned a prize offered by British industrialist Henry Kremer, who wanted to encourage human-powered flight. To win, an aircraft had to fly a figure-eight course around two markers and pass above a low bar at both the beginning and the end.
That was a difficult task. A human-powered aircraft cannot rely on a powerful engine. Its pilot must supply all the energy, and even a strong cyclist can produce only a limited amount. The aircraft therefore had to be light enough to lift with relatively little power, yet sturdy enough to hold its shape in the air.
- propeller:
- A set of blades that spins to move an aircraft forward.
- sturdy:
- Strong enough to hold up without breaking or losing shape.
- delicate:
- Easily damaged or broken.
- gust:
- A sudden burst of wind.
- trials:
- Tests used to find out how well something works.
- aloft:
- Up in the air.
- preserved:
- Protected and kept in good condition.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Why did the Gossamer Condor need to be both lightweight and sturdy?
- 2How did the Condor's broad wings help it fly, and how did they make flying harder?
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About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“A Plane Powered by Pedals” is a explanatory article reading passage about Human-powered flight, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (451 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.