The MIT Daedalus project introduced three human-powered aircraft that could make your bicycle envious. Built by a team of undergraduate students, recent graduates, and faculty members, these aircraft include the Light Eagle (weighing 42 kg) and two Daedalus models—Daedalus 87 and Daedalus 88—each weighing 31 kg. While these aircraft are impressively light, it does raise the question: would you trust a plane lighter than most adults?

Named after the mythological pioneer Daedalus, who famously crafted wings to escape from Crete, the project drew inspiration from this legendary feat of flight. On April 23, 1988, Daedalus 88 flew 71.53 miles in 3 hours and 54 minutes, from Crete to Santorini, setting a world record for human-powered flight.