Looking over helicopter

( Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun / February 28, 2013 )

Elizabeth Weiner, a graduate student in aerospace engineering and one of the project leaders, works with pilot Colin Gore (seated in Gamera II) before a test flight. Undergraduate and graduate engineering students from the University of Maryland run tests on their human-powered "Gamera II" helicopter, tweaking it in an attempt to win the AHS (American Helicopter Society) Sikorsky Prize. The helicopter must be 3 meters (9.8 ft.) off the ground for 60 seconds, and stay within a 10m. square to win the $250,000 prize. The challenge, which continues until 9pm Thursday night, is being held at the Baltimore Convention Center.