How would you propel a person 5 feet in the air?

Question

Hi, this is kind of a bizarre question, but here goes...

I want to make a propeller that will lift a person (roughly 150-200 lbs plus the engine) five feet into the air. How big would the propeller have to be, and how big/heavy would the engine have to be? Any help is appreciated.

Hi, this is kind of a bizarre question, but here goes...

I want to make a propeller that will lift a person (roughly 150-200 lbs plus the engine) five feet into the air. How big would the propeller have to be, and how big/heavy would the engine have to be? Any help is appreciated. If anybody has a mathematical formula to tell me propeller size in relation to weight in relation to elevation, that would be best.

I'd also like it to be absolutely as safe as possible, of course.

Answer 1

5' would be within the ground effect distance where the air bouncing off the ground helps support the craft. You can use a small diameter fast moving blade or a large diameter slower moving blade. Both will be dangerous, but putting the smaller blade below a screen improves things somewhat.
Look up ground effect vehicles and kits.

Answer 2

It would really depend on the material of the propeller, the power of the engine, the safety and stability you require, along with many other things.

I'm just making a rough guess, but the propeller would probably have to be about a metre or so in diameter.

Answer 3

Well, I suggest studying helicopters. Those have a perfect design for lift. But, if you want control, i suggest getting a WW1 propeller, and then using that. but, if you want to get a head start before you start the engine, either jump off of a cliff, or eat tons of Beans and cabbage beforehand.