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 from wingtip to wingtip
Also 94.16 ft
Gossamer Albatross II wingspan · representative
Typical recorded range: 28 m to 30 m.
A little perspective
About 1.21 times the length of Doubles tennis court.
Doubles tennis court: A doubles tennis court is the marked playing surface used for tennis with the outer doubles sidelines included.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Human-powered aircraft
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
23.77 × 10.97 m playing surface. Excludes surrounding space.
The marked length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 28.7 m
For comparison, this page uses gossamer albatross ii wingspan. This is labelled representative; the central value is useful for comparison, while real values or measurement solutions 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 named feature; transparent margins and unmeasured details do not alter it. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Human-powered aircraft 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
Go smaller. Go bigger.
These links use compatible length records, ordered around the selected value.
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Nearest higher value · TransportHarbour tugboat30 mA harbour tugboat is a powerful, manoeuvrable vessel designed to assist larger ships with docking and navigation in confined waters.Sources and method
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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SpaceRosetta spacecraft32 mRosetta was an ESA spacecraft launched to study comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, carrying the Philae lander and powered by solar arrays.
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.
Everyday things250 m² allotment25 mAn allotment is a plot of land rented for growing fruit, vegetables, or flowers, often in a shared site.
Living thingsBlue whale25 mA blue whale is a baleen whale that feeds by filtering small animals from seawater.