Wright MPA Mk 1
Peter Wright · United Kingdom · first flew 1972 · glider
The Wright MPA Mk 1 was the first of two human-powered aircraft designed and built by Peter Wright, an engineer from Melton Mowbray, England.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.1 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Cruciform |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Very large wing area with very low wing loading
- Cruciform tail with an all-flying elevator and a conventional fin and rudder
- Rear-mounted two-bladed propeller driven by bicycle pedals and chain
A mid-wing monoplane with a semi-recumbent pilot, a tricycle undercarriage with a powered front wheel and no lateral control.
Specifications
- The Wright MPA Mk 1 has a length of 6.1 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 21.6 m (71 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 24 km/h (15 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Design began in October 1969 and construction began in mid-1971; it was completed by February 1972, taking 500 hours. The first flight was made at Langar airfield near Nottingham in February 1972, covering 120 yards.
Variants
Only one was built. Wright went on to design a second human-powered aircraft, the Micron.
Where you'll see it
Flights of up to 300 yards were eventually made. In 1975 it was reported to be in store, awaiting a suitable flying site.
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