Zinno Olympian ZB-1
Joseph A. Zinno · United States · first flew 1976 · glider
The Olympian ZB-1 was the first human-powered aircraft to have flown in the United States, designed, built and flown by Joseph A. Zinno of Rhode Island.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.55 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Human-powered mid-wing monoplane in a pod and boom layout
- Pilot pedalling in a recumbent position to drive a two-bladed pusher propeller at the rear of the nacelle
- Entire aircraft covered in transparent plastic film, with tandem bicycle wheels and outrigger wheels under the wing
Look for a very large, lightly built wing of about 24 m span with a tiny pod, a rear pusher propeller and a slim tail boom.
Specifications
- The Zinno Olympian ZB-1 has a length of 6.55 m (21 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 23.93 m (79 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 35 km/h (22 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Zinno, a retired USAF lieutenant colonel, began design work in January 1972 and construction in March 1973. The FAA issued an airworthiness certificate on 16 January 1976 and the aircraft flew for about five seconds on 21 April 1976.
Variants
Only one was built, and there were no variants.
Where you'll see it
It flew only in test. Further towed flights were made in September 1976, and the wing spar failed at the root on its final flight, damaging the aircraft beyond repair.
Related aircraft
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