The second annual Icarus Cup will be held in Northampton, Great Britain, July 19-28, and for the first time, the competition will be officially sanctioned by the Federation Aeronautique International. Teams will compete in a variety of trials, including a 200-meter sprint, a slalom course, landing accuracy, duration of flight, and takeoff performance. Organizers hope the competition will help to promote and develop the sport of human-powered flight, with the goal to one day see competitors in the Olympic Games. The event is organized by the Royal Aeronautical Society. Registration is open to all.
Robert Hughes, an FAI spokesman, said the organization is “delighted” to support the event. “This is a very exciting branch of aviation,” he said. “We are confident that the 2013 Icarus Cup will lead the way to the first FAI World Championship for Human Powered Aircraft, in 2014.” Last year, a human-powered helicopter, the Gamera, was nominated for the Collier Prize, but it lost out to Boeing’s 787.
