This Day In HPA History: Gossamer Condor Wins Kremer Prize, 1977

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Photo Credit: Don Monroe
http://donaldmonroe.com/

On August 23, 1977, Bryan Allen flew the Gossamer Condor into HPA history at Minter Field in Shafter, California.  Built by Paul MacCready of AeroVironment, the Gossamer Condor became the first HPA to win the Kremer Prize.  Henry Kremer, a British Industrialist, offered the £50,000 prize to the first human powered aircraft that could fly a figure-eight course covering a total distance of one mile (1.6 kilometers).  The aircraft also had to clear a 10 foot pole at the start and end of the course.  

 Below is a link to the Academy Award winning short documentary on the Gossamer Condor.  

Flight of the Gossamer Condor

And here is a link to an NBC News broadcast on the Gossamer Condor: 


NBC News: Flight of the Condor 

Today, the Gossamer Condor hangs in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.  

Photo Credit: Alec Proudfoot

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