Human-powered aircraft
A human-powered aircraft is a lightweight aeroplane propelled solely by the pilot using pedals to drive a propeller.
Also known as: pedal-powered aircraft, Gossamer Albatross type
How big is it?
28.7 m · gossamer Albatross II wingspan
Also 94.16 ft
Gossamer Albatross II wingspan · representative
Typical recorded range: 28 m to 30 m.
A little perspective
Human-powered aircraft vs Doubles tennis court: length comparison
The gossamer Albatross II wingspan of a human-powered aircraft is about 1.21 times the length of a doubles tennis court.
A human-powered aircraft is a lightweight aeroplane propelled solely by the pilot using pedals to drive a propeller.
A doubles tennis court is the marked playing surface used for tennis with the outer doubles sidelines included.
Both rulers start at the same zero and share one linear scale. Artwork keeps its original proportions. Horizontal rulers compare the selected spans; vertical brackets also identify height on the artwork.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Human-powered aircraft
Gossamer Albatross II wingspan: 28.7 m; representative; range 28 m–30 m.
A Gossamer Albatross-style human-powered aircraft with NASA's quoted 94 ft (28.7 m) span, approximately 10 m length, 32 kg empty mass and a representative 5 m/s flight speed. The pilot is excluded from empty mass.
The marked gossamer Albatross II wingspan is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Doubles tennis court
Length: 23.77 m; standard.
23.77 × 10.97 m playing surface. Excludes surrounding space.
The marked length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 28.7 m
We compare the gossamer Albatross II wingspan of a human-powered aircraft. This is a representative comparison value; individual specimens or conditions can vary. The recorded range is 28 m to 30 m.
A Gossamer Albatross-style human-powered aircraft with NASA's quoted 94 ft (28.7 m) span, approximately 10 m length, 32 kg empty mass and a representative 5 m/s flight speed. The pilot is excluded from empty mass.
The marked vertical span follows the measured feature, not the edges of the image. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28.7 m | 28 m to 30 m | representative | |
| 10 m | 9 m to 11 m | representative | |
| 32 kg | 30 kg to 35 kg | representative | |
| 5 m/s | 3.5 m/s to 7 m/s | representative |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
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Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- NASA — Gossamer AlbatrossNASA quotes a 94 ft span and describes the low-speed, lightweight human-powered aircraft programme.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
TransportPedal-powered rail trolley2.4 mA pedal-powered rail trolley is a lightweight vehicle propelled by pedalling, designed to travel along railway tracks for recreation or transport.
SportDoubles tennis court23.77 mA doubles tennis court is the marked playing surface used for tennis with the outer doubles sidelines included.
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TransportLockheed SR-71 Blackbird32.7 mThe Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is a long-range, high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft developed for the United States Air Force during the Cold War.
SportSingles tennis court23.77 mA singles tennis court is a rectangular surface with marked lines used for playing one-on-one tennis matches.
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