# SUMPAC

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The **Southampton University Man Powered Aircraft** (or **SUMPAC**) on 9 November 1961 became the first [human-powered aeroplane](/source/Human-powered_aeroplane) to make an officially authenticated take-off and flight.[1] It was designed and built by Southampton university students between 1960 and 1961 for an attempt at the [Kremer prize](/source/Kremer_prize), but it was never able to complete the 'figure-of-eight' course specified to claim the prize money.[2]

## Design and development

The aircraft was designed and built by a team of post-graduate students from [Southampton University](/source/Southampton_University). Intended to compete for the £50,000 Kremer Prize (requiring successful completion of a one-mile (1.6 km) 'figure of eight' course) the project was funded by the [Royal Aeronautical Society](/source/Royal_Aeronautical_Society).[2]

The aircraft is of conventional configuration, with the exception of a pylon mounted pusher propeller, and is constructed from [balsa](/source/Balsa), [plywood](/source/Plywood) and [aluminium alloy](/source/Aluminium_alloy). Originally [covered](/source/Aircraft_fabric_covering) with silver-doped [Nylon](/source/Nylon) the aircraft now sports a transparent plastic skin on the [fuselage](/source/Fuselage).

The SUMPAC was powered using pedals and chains to drive a large two-bladed [propeller](/source/Propeller_(aircraft)). Piloted by noted gliding instructor and test pilot [Derek Piggott](/source/Derek_Piggott), its first flight on 9 November 1961 at [Lasham airfield](/source/Lasham_airfield) covered a distance of 70 yards (64 m) and climbed to a height of six feet (1.8 m).[2] The longest flight made was 650 yards (594 m) rising to a maximum height of 15 ft (4.6 m). Turns were attempted, with 80 degrees the best achieved. A total of 40 flights were made by SUMPAC.[3] After a crash in 1963 which caused damage to the fragile structure it was decided to retire the aircraft although it had been repaired.[2]

The SUMPAC is currently on display at the [Solent Sky](/source/Solent_Sky) museum; it was loaned for some time to the [Shuttleworth Collection](/source/Shuttleworth_Collection) but now resides in its hometown of [Southampton](/source/Southampton).

## References

### Notes

1. ["BBC News web-site"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-15705954). Retrieved 15 November 2012.

1. Guttery 1969, p. 70.

1. [Details of SUMPAC](http://www.humanpoweredflying.propdesigner.co.uk/html/flights.html)

### Bibliography

- Shenstone, B.S. & K.G. Wilkinson (1963). *The World's Sailplanes:Die Segelflugzeuge der Welt:Les Planeurs du Monde Volume II* (in English, French, German). 1st ed. Zurich: Organisation Scientifique et Technique Internationale du Vol a Voile (OSTIV) and Schweizer Aero-Revue. pp. 34–36.
- Guttery, T.E. *The Shuttleworth Collection*. London: Wm. Carling & Co, 1969. SBN 901319-01-5
- [Man powered flight advances](http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1985/1985%20-%200744.html)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [SUMPAC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SUMPAC) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SUMPAC?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.