学二姐，每日一篇新概念 II册第66课 ，边学边实践-10月25日

66 Cycling through the Air

The Hatfield Puffin is a modern airplane, but its designer, Mr. John Wimpenny, is finding it difficult to get it off the ground. The reason for this is that this plane is also a bicycle. Its pilot has to pedal hard to get it into the air. After Mr. Wimpenny had the plane built, it was tested thoroughly. In 1961, it was the first man-powered aircraft to fly half a mile. While being flown by a champion amateur cyclist in 1963, the plane crashed on an airfield. Since then, Mr. Wimpenny has had it rebuilt. He has had the length of the wings increased so that they now measure 93 feet—almost as long as those of a Dakota. Many people have shown interest in this new and unusual sport. But though air cyclists may learn how to fly over short distances, and may, eventually, even get across the English Channel, it is doubtful whether they will ever cycle across the Atlantic.
Mr. John Wimpenny designed a modern airplane named Hatfield Puffin, but he has difficulties to get it off the ground as this plane is also a bike. It’s pilot has to pedal hard to get it to fly. In 1961, the plane was built and made the record of flying half a mile of the man-powered aircraft. But it was crashed on an airfield in 1963. Mr. John Wimpenny had it remodeled like Dakota. Even many people showed great interest in this fancy sport, it is doubtful how long it can fly though.

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