Ask an Explainer

Q:

Is it possible for a bicycle to fly with a pedal mechanism?

A:

Yes, but the bicycle must be light enough and controllable in flight. An early example would be the Gossamer Condor, a pedal-powered plane. It was flown in 1977 by Bryan Allen. The Gossamer Condor looks like a bicycle without wheels (a way to make it as light as possible). For control, it has large flexible wings that warp to control roll, an elevator in the front to control pitch and a rudder in the back to control yaw.

Ask an Explainer
Categories: