IN AN abandoned brewery in downtown Montreal this week, the first rotor of a
revolutionary human-powered helicopter will be slotted into place. The move
marks a major milestone in an ambitious attempt to win the US$20,000
Sikorsky Prize for human-powered helicopter flight.
The helicopter’s unique design uses a pair of rotors above and below the
pilot, which counterrotate to provide undreamed stability. To win the prize, it
will have to hover above a 10-metre square for 60 seconds, reaching an altitude
of 3 metres. It’s a tough task. Out of 17 attempts since the prize was first
offered in…
