Polniak LP Dedal

The LP Dedal human-powered aircraft was the project of Leon Polniak, a Franco-Polish engineer based in Kraków, Poland.[1] Dedal is Polish for Daedalus.

Role Human-powered aircraft
National origin Polish
Manufacturer Leon Polniak
Number built 1
Developed into LP Dedal-2

Development

Inspired by the Kremer prize, Polniak began the design of the aircraft in 1966, and construction commenced in 1967.[2] Construction reportedly involved 6,000 hours.[3]

The Dedal was a wire-braced parasol-wing monoplane of conventional configuration, and fitted with a tractor propeller. The fuselage was of the pod-and-boom type.[2] The wing planform was located immediately above the fuselage, attached by a single pylon. The wing consisted of six panels, all of constant chord, with the two outermost panels set at a substantial dihedral angle.[2] The pilot sat in a conventional cycling position, and powered the tractor propeller via a belt drive.[2][4] The aircraft was primarily constructed from pine and balsa.[3]

The aircraft was due to fly in 1972 but, according to Jane's all the world's aircraft 1973-74, when it was 50% complete, it was damaged while being transported, with Polniak then deciding to build an improved version, the LP Dedal-2.[5]

Specifications (LP Dedal)

Data from Jane's all the world's aircraft 1972-73,[2] and Mięśnioloty[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 7.20 m (23 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: 25.00 m (82 ft 0 in)
  • Height: 3.40 m (11 ft 2 in)
  • Wing area: 43.80 m2 (471.5 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 14.3
  • Airfoil: Eiffel 400
  • Empty weight: 20 kg (44 lb)
  • Gross weight: 125 kg (276 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 105 kg (231 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Cyclist , 0.22–0.30 kW (0.30–0.40 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed, 2.70 m (8 ft 10 in) diameter fixed pitch

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 25 km/h (16 mph, 13 kn)
  • Wing loading: 2.40 kg/m2 (0.49 lb/sq ft)

See also

References
  1. "Polniak Leon". Samoloty w Lotnictwie Polskim (in Polish). samolotypolskie.pl. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  2. Taylor, John W. R., ed. (1972). Jane's all the world's aircraft 1972-73. London: Jane's Yearbooks. p. 161. ISBN 0354001094. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  3. Wojciechowski, Janusz (1979). Mięśnioloty (in Polish). Warsaw, Poland: Wydawnictwa Komunikacji. pp. 107–108. ISBN 8320600294. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  4. "LP "Dedal", 1975". Samoloty w Lotnictwie Polskim (in Polish). samolotypolskie.pl. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  5. Taylor, John W. R., ed. (1973). Jane's all the world's aircraft 1973-74. London: Jane's Yearbooks. p. 12. ISBN 0354001175. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
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