Students from Nottingham University will take to the skies in a human propelled airship, with a little help from Giant.

A four strong team of students in the 4th year of the Mechanical Engineering degree at The University of Nottingham are currently undertaking a Group Development Project which consists of designing, manufacturing and testing a human propelled airship under the supervision of Dr Janet Folkes.

The project will see the ‘Group 8’ team design, build and test an airship to be piloted and powered by one person. The resulting prototype may be developed further in the future and will be used at university open days in order to promote The School of Mechanical, Materials & Manufacturing Engineering (School of 3M), as well as for any other promotional opportunities.

Lift for the airship will be provided from a Helium filled, ellipsoid shaped envelope approximately 25m in length and 5m in diameter. The pilot will sit below the envelope in an Aluminium A-frame. The pilot will sit in a recumbent position and pedal in order to power the propeller which will be located behind him/her. Horizontal motion control will be obtained from a rudder located behind the pilot. Pedals and a crankset will transmit power to the gearbox at the rear by means of chain drive, which will then drive the propeller.

The design of the airship has been finalised and the prototype is currently in production. Lindstrand Technologies® are providing production facilities and
support to fabricate the envelope.

Giant are providing a bottom bracket section which will form a crucial part of the drive train enabling the pilot to control the forward motion of the ship.

All other parts will be made by technical staff in university workshops.

Following production an indoor test flight will take place at Cardington hangars, Bedfordshire before the prototype makes it’s maiden flight over University Park, Nottingham.