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The Gossamer Condor was the first aircraft in history to do what on this day in 1977?

“The Gossamer Condor was the first human-powered aircraft capable of controlled and sustained flight,” according to its entry on Wikipedia.

Answer: “The Gossamer Condor was the first human-powered aircraft capable of controlled and sustained flight,” according to its entry on Wikipedia.

Designed by Dr. Paul B. MacCready and Dr Peter B. S. Lissaman, the Gossamer Condor was a large, very light wing — 96 feet long and 70 pounds — with the pilot suspended underneath, powering it by pedaling.

On Aug. 23, 1977, the Gossamer Condor won the Kremer prize, 50,000 British pounds awarded to the group who could fly the first human-powered aircraft through a figure-eight course for one mile.



Video: The Gossamer Condor is now in the possession of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.