Fly-by-Sun
Gamera-S is a student-run project with a goal to fly by harnessing the power of the sun. We've already set world records. And we aim to set more.
Watch it happen.
History
Well, we didn't come out of just in thin air... So how did we get here?
New Beginnings
The Gamera project began as an attempt to win the American Helicopter Society's famed Sikorski Prize. The human-powered Gamera project went through many iterations, eventually achieving flight for more than 60 seconds and a height of almost 10 feet.
The Prize
The requirements to win the Sikorsky Prize include achieving a flight duration of 60 seconds and reaching an altitude of 3m (9ft 10 in). At the same time the aircraft must prove that it is controllable by remaining within a 10m (32ft 10in) circle.
Our Name
Since the University of Maryland's mascot is a terrapin turtle, we named the craft Gamera. This is a reference towards a popular Japanese Kaiju series of films featuring a flying turtle. What a fitting name!
World Record
In August/September of 2012, the team flew Gamera II, an upgraded version. One flight surpassed the AHS Sikorsky Competition requirement for a 60-second flight with a duration of approximately 65 seconds, while staying within a 10m square area (another requirement), setting a world record.
Achievements
2014 - Gamera is awarded the official US record of 97 seconds for the duration of human-powered helicopter flight
2013 - Best Paper in Advanced Vertical Flight, "Control and Stability Characteristics of Gamera II: A Human Powered Helicopter" - 69th American Helicopter Society Forum, Pheonix, Ariz.
2012 - Best Paper in Aircraft Design, "Design Optimization of Gamera II: A Human Powered Helicopter" - 68th Amercian Helicopter Society Forum, Forth Worth, Tex.
2012 - Igor I. Sikorsky International Trophy, American Helicopter Society
2012 - Fédération Aéronautique Interanationale Certified World Record for Flight Duration
2012 - National Aeronautics Association U.S. National Record Certificate for Flight Duration
2012 - Fédération Aéronautique Interanationale World Record Certificate for Flight Duration
2012 - National Aeronautics Association U.S. National Record Certificate for Flight Duration
2011 - Fédération Aéronautique Interanationale Certified World Record for Flight Duration by Female Pilot
2011 - National Aeronautics Association Collier Trophy Nominee
2011 - American Helicopter Museum Education Center Achievement Award
2011 - National Aeronautics Association World Record Certificate for Flight Duration
2011 - National Aeronautics Association World Record Certificate for Flight Duration by Female Pilot
2011 - Dedication of Gamera I Vehicle Elements to College Park Aviation Museum
Project
Gamera transitioned to Gamera-S in May of 2014, marking a new frontier for solar-powered aviation. On August 26, 2016, the solar powered Gamera-S flew for 9 seconds with pilot Michelle Mahon at the controls. Gamera-S is a modification of the human powered Gamera helicopter, designed to be capable of carrying a person while being powered solely by solar power. A team of undergraduate students carried out modifications to the vehicle including the selection and attachment of solar panels to the truss structure, replacing the manual string transmission with a compact electric motor and gearbox system, and a simple electronic control system that appropriates power flow to the motors. Gamera-S retains some key features such as baseline structure, rotor hub and rotor blades.
The future is bright for Gamera-S. The team has goals to achieve flight of at least one minute, but the limits are endless. Some future side projects to achieve this include upgrading solar cells, mini drone prototype, and a feedback control system to stabilize the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications
Want to know more about our vehicle? Here are our current vehicle specifications:
Aircraft
Solar Power System
Motors/Transmission
Structure
Rotors
Join The Team!
Are you interested? Maybe you are looking for project experience? Be sure to contact us today!
