What’s the absolute minimum speed a plane has to go for it to stay in the air?
In: Physics
The [Gossamer Condor](https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/maccready-gossamer-condor), in 1977, flew a figure 8 course of a little over a mile and averaged between 10 and 11 mph on the course. I would guess that, at liftoff, it was going at a jogging pace, maybe 6 mph or so.
So, it can be very slow, but this is getting down there at the minimum air-speed, I would think. You have to have some airflow over the wings to create lift.
It depends on the aircraft. This one was human-powered. [You could ride a bike at a leisurely pace and keep up.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp7yv67B5Sc)
They later created the Gossamer Albatross that flew across the English Channel powered by a single human
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