Niall Paterson Wins Jacobson Figure 8 Prize

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Photo Credit: Elanor Andreassen

This year’s BHPFC’s Icarus Cup Competition, held at Sywell Aerodrome, saw Niall Paterson complete the Jacobson Figure of Eight course on his first attempt, capturing the Jacobson Figure 8 Prize in the first year it was offered. The ￡1000 prize was awarded to Paterson after his completion of 1.5 loops of the figure of eight in just under 3 minutes. The award, open to individuals and teams from anywhere in the world, is awarded to the aircraft that flies the farthest after one completion of a figure of eight with turning points set 350m apart.

Paterson flew Aerocycle 3, a human-powered airplane designed and built by John Edgley. Aerocycle 3 claimed the team prize this year at the rally, and Paterson also won the individual pilot Icarus Cup this year, repeating his victory from last year.
A video of Paterson’s history-making flight


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