Gossamer Odyssey: The Triumph of Human-powered Flight

Gossamer Odyssey tells the story of the historic flight of the Gossamer Albatross, a spindly, feather-light craft which on June 2, 1979, became the first human-powered aircraft to cross the English Channel. Author Grosser covers the history of human-powered flight including the various unsuccessful efforts in Europe following World War I as well as programs in England and Japan following World War II. The development and flight of the first successful human-powered aircraft, the "Gossamer Condor, is covered in great detail. Grosser, who was a member of the "Gossamer Albatross team, provides an expert account that is fully accessible to the layperson and demonstrates how the channel crossing was an incredibly challenging undertaking despite the earlier success of the "Condor.