Gossamer Albatross
American aircraft
Quick Summary
Watch the “Gossamer Albatross” the first human-powered plane crossing the English Channel in 1979
On June 12, 1979, the Gossamer Albatross became the first human-powered plane to cross the English Channel. This video shows the plane on its way from England to France, accompanied by engineers and paramedics ready to rescue the pilot if he were to crash.
The Gossamer Albatross was a human-powered aircraft designed by Paul MacCready. It was constructed from materials like Mylar, polystyrene, and carbon-fiber rods, featuring a wingspan of approximately 93 feet. On June 12, 1979, piloted by Bryan Allen, it successfully completed the first human-propelled flight across the English Channel, covering a distance of 23 miles in under three hours. This achievement earned MacCready a significant prize and highlighted advancements in human-powered aviation.12
Summary created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.