# Pedal-Powered Planes Dutch Teen Designs Eco-Friendly Flying Device By Rose Nazarali | Published 2009-08-31 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pedal-powered-planes References: [ecofriend.org](http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/eco-tech-dutch-teen-develops-pedal-powered-plane-to-hit-the-skies/) & [spiegel.de](http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,642009,00.html) When 19-year-old Jesse van Kuijk was at the tender age of 16, he knew he wanted to fly. However, it seems he didn’t want to be just like any other pilot; Jesse wanted to do something special, so he designed and put together his very own [pedal powered aircraft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vemoo-recumbent-tricycle). The pedal powered plane weighs in at just 56kg and the [pilot sits on a seat](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yksi-electric-vehicle) and pedals to get the 26-meter-wide wings to start flapping and take off. Jesse van Kuijk managed to get his plane several meters off the ground before his chain gave way, sending him straight back to the ground. But I say, broken chain or not, Jesse van Kuijk managed quite the feat. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 21% | Activity: 37% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Pedal-powered Transportation:** Opportunity to disrupt the transportation industry with eco-friendly alternatives to traditional modes of transport. - **DIY Aviation:** Opportunity to disrupt the aviation industry by empowering individuals to design and build their own aircraft. - **Human-powered Technology:** Opportunity to disrupt various consumer electronic industries with human-powered alternatives, such as fitness equipment and portable chargers. ### Where This Applies - **Transportation:** This innovative design could create a new niche market for eco-friendly forms of transportation. - **Aviation:** This could disrupt the aviation industry by encouraging individuals to design and build their own aircraft. - **Consumer Electronics:** This design could inspire the creation of more human-powered technology options in electronics for environmentally-conscious consumers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sleek Electricity-Storing Velomobiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electricity-storing-velomobile.md) - [Futuristic Bladeless Planes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jetopetra.md) - [Airborne Electric Motorcycle Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kuickwheel-skyrider-x6.md) - [Wind-Powered Flying Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/super-flying-car.md) - [Ultra-Fast One-Person Electric Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/airspeeder-mk4.md) - [Cardboard Airplane Builds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cardboard-airplane.md) - [Aerodynamic Gyroplane Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gyroplane.md) - [Zero-Emission Solar-Powered Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/falcon-horizon.md) - [Adventurous Pedal-Powered Electric Bicycles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pedalpowered-electric-bicycle.md)