MacCready Gossamer Albatross Family
The Gossamer Albatross was a family of exceptionally light human-powered aircraft developed by Paul MacCready's AeroVironment team. A pilot pedaled a chain-driven propeller while the enormous low-speed wing generated enough lift from only human power. The original aircraft crossed the English Channel in 1979, and the backup Albatross II later supported NASA research into the dynamics of large, flexible, slow-flying aircraft and helped inspire solar-powered successors.
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Identity
- Aliases
- MacCready Gossamer AlbatrossGossamer Albatross IGossamer Albatross II
- Family Name
- Gossamer Albatross
- Full Name
- MacCready Gossamer Albatross Family
- Roles
- researchexperimentaltechnology_demonstrator
- Status
- retired
- Type
- aircraft
Details
- Aircraft Specs
- Configuration
- fixed_wing
- Operating Modes
- land
- Takeoff Landing Capabilities
- conventional
- Description
- The Gossamer Albatross was a family of exceptionally light human-powered aircraft developed by Paul MacCready's AeroVironment team. A pilot pedaled a chain-driven propeller while the enormous low-speed wing generated enough lift from only human power. The original aircraft crossed the English Channel in 1979, and the backup Albatross II later supported NASA research into the dynamics of large, flexible, slow-flying aircraft and helped inspire solar-powered successors.
- First Flight Year
- 1,979
- Manufacturer
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- July 29, 2026 at 12:47:39 UTC
- Updated Time
- July 29, 2026 at 12:47:39 UTC