Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation, which is governing body of Japan International Birdman Rally, announced that they are preparing to hold the 46th Japan International Birdman Rally (JIBR) 2024. The 46th JIBR will consist of “The Glider division” and “The Distance division by human-powered propeller aircraft”. The governing body wants “great meaningful flights” and is looking for participants with their originality, unique design, challenging spirits, and efforts for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Additionally, Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation announced holding an online briefing session of the competition for persons wishing participates. The briefing sessions will be held using Microsoft Teams at 1 p.m. Japan Standard Time on 17 Dec. 2023. After the briefing, beginners’ consultation also will be held. If you want to attend the session, you need to submit your information by 5 Dec. 2023 in Japan. The submitted information should be included followings.
Your team name
Name of participants of the session from your team
Your street address
Your contact information (mobile phone number is preferred)
Your E-mail address
Condition of your team’s activities for JIBR
If you want to participate beginners’ consultation, your wiliness to participate the beginners’ consultation.
You must send the information by an E-mail and an attached file describing duplicate information for avoiding garbled text. After you send the information, you will be received information for downloading rule books and application documents on 13 Dec. 2023. You can attend the online session by one account per your team.
This article intends to show results of Japan International Birdman Rally (JIBR, “鳥人間コンテスト” in Japanese) 2023 in English because google translation cannot work for results page of JIBR official website. NOTE: Some team names are defined with only Japanese. So, they were forcibly interpreted by author in following.
HPA division (DAY 1: 29 Jul. 2023)
Position
Pilot
Age
Team
Flight distance [metre]
Remarks
1
Yuta WATANABE
36
BIRDMAN HOUSE IGA
69,682.42
New record award THE BEST BIRDMAN award. The longest record of the HPA distance division Flight time (reference): 2 hours 31 minutes.
2
Daichi IWATA
21
Tohoku University Windnauts
42,837.78
Hikone mayor award The 3rd longest record of the HPA distance division. This flight was postponed to DAY 2 morning due to sunset on DAY 1.
3
Takaharu ISHIDA
21
Osaka institute of technology human-powered aircraft project
8,566.72
Strut brased wings and one blade propeller
4
Subaru KAWAMI
22
Tokyo Institute of Technology Meister
3,851.83
SUPPORTER award
5
Ryoki CHOKAWA
20
Tokyo Metropolitan University T-MIT
2,115.26
Environmental Award
6
Tomoya OISHI
20
Ritsuneikan university RAPT
1,683.24
7
Hikaru UENO
22
Osaka Metropolitan University Sakai Fusha-no-kai
1,113.87
8
Takuma YOKOYAMA
24
The University of Electro-Communications U.E.C. wings
904.03
9
Hideki MATSUNAGA
21
University of Tsukuba Tsukuba Birdman Works
192.55
10
Naoki AKUSAWA Shunsuke DAITO
22 20
Shibaura Institute of Technology Team Birdman Trial
158.53
Two-seater HPA
11
Kazutomo YAMAMOTO
21
Teikyo University Sky project
140.05
12
Yuya MAMADA
22
Nihon university Aeronautical Students Group (NASG)
32.40
Flight order changed: #3→#7
Haruka OGIKUBO
28
TriStellation
DNS
Broken by strong wind
Results of human-powered propeller aircraft category of Japan International Birdman Rally 2023.
Glider division (DAY 2: 30 Jul. 2023)
Flight order
Pilot
Age
Team
Flight distance [metre]
Remarks
1
Shoji OKI
53
Team Mitaka Mobara Shimo-Yoklota
460.76
The 5th longest record of the glider division
2
Tatsuki TSUCHITORI
32
Tonjo no kai with Flight Works
383.04
Driving wheel equipped
3
Nozomi SONOBE
27
IWATANI Clean energy team
337.61
Team of the main sponsor company
4
Tomohiro AOKI
20
Nihon university college of industrial technology Tsudanuma Aeronautical Team
306.93
5
Mayu MIZUMAKI
19
Tokyo Metropolitan College of Industrial Technology Team ЯTR
285.90
6
Meyu KAMATA
22
Tokyo Metropolitan University MaPPL
265.36
7
Yuta KITAGAWA
20
Tokyo University of Science Torica
198.10
8
Hiroshi IZUMI
46
Flower’s factory
193.53
THE FRESH BIRDMAN award
9
Haruto ISHIZAKI
21
Muroran Institute of Technology Toriningen-bu (Birdman club)
98.88
Canard configuration
10
Nana NISHIYAMA
21
Aichi High School of Technology and Engineering T&E Toriningen-bu (Birdman club)
76.39
11
Keita NAKADAI Hiroto EGUCHI
36 28
Team Tinker
75.75
Jury’s special award Parallel layout two seater
12
Noa SUZUKI
20
Sophia University Team Flying Turkeys
67.75
13
Haruto YOSHIDA
20
Tokushima University Birdman project
48.74
14
Rina OMOI
20
Hosei University HoPE
25.75
15
Masato KAWANO
21
Kyusyu University Birdman Team
14.72
Low wing and T-tail
16
Kazuma ENOKI
21
Hiroshima Institute of Technology HIT Sky Project
5.75
Yusei TOMODA
20
The University of Shiga Prefecture BiwaTech
WD
Results of glider category of Japan International Birdman Rally 2023.
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大会の歴史｜鳥人間コンテスト│読売テレビ(Japanese): History | Japan International Birdman Rally | YOMIURI TELECASTING CORPORATION(Official website)
On 19 July 2023, the official Twitter account of the Japan International Birdman Rally made an exciting announcement. As the previous competition, the organizer is going to share exciting moments of the competitions to anywhere in the world through live streams. Japan International Birdman Rally had been enclosed in TV show in Japan because of labyrinth rights of stake holders around the TV show for long time. However, it seemed that the organizer decided to adapt the changing social needs. With the introduction of live streams, spectators will have the opportunity to watch the Japan International Birdman Rally from the comfort of their own homes even at the opposite side of the earth. Additionally, Mr. Masato SUZUKI, who is one of the most famous enthusiasts of HPA in Japan and had act the pilot of Milan’82 in Nihon University and leader of the legendary Team Aeroscepsy, is going to appear on the live streams as a technical commentator. If auto interpretation works well, his comments should excite you further.
DAY1: 29 July 2023 Human-powered propeller aircraft division Live streaming: from 6:15 am (UTC+9) Competition: from 6:30 am (UTC+9) URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNyIkNIwGHw
The organizer of Japan International Birdman Rally (JIBR) 2023 announced entrants and their flight orders in each division, which are the distances of gliders and the distances of human-powered propeller aircraft. 30 entrants will fly in the competition. There are 17 gliders and 13 human-powered propeller aircraft. A major change in schedule from past usual competitions has also been announced. In this competition, the human-powered propeller aircraft division will be held on day 1 and the glider division on day 2. If you would like to spectate the competition, please pay attention to the day of the competition you want.
Note: In spite of the author’s effort to research, the team name and pilot name in the following lists may be incorrect.
Day 1: 29 July 2023 (Sat.) Human-Powered Propeller Aircraft division start: 6:30 am (JST/UTC+9)
The record holder, team “BIRDMAN HOUSE IGA,” is going to come back to JIBR! It is expected that the record holder will bring modified version of their HPA, which flew over 35+ km in 2021. Three massive student teams will be primary competitors against the record holder: Nihon University Aeronautical Students Group, Tohoku University team “Windnauts”, and Tokyo Institute of Technology team “Meister”. The three teams have achieved 30+ km flights in previous competitions. Additionally, 6 of the 13 entrants including above 4 teams have achieved more than a 10 km flight in previous competitions, and the sum of their team’s best reaches 200 km! If they display their own perfect performance, even the competition of this division may be extended to Day 2.
Flight order
Pilot
Age
Team
Times
Remarks
1
Tomoya OISHI
20
Ritsuneikan university RAPT
15
co-axical mid propeller
2
Naoki AKUSAWA Shunsuke DAITO
22 20
Shibaura Institute of Technology Team Birdman Trial
6
Two-seater HPA
3
Yuya MAMADA
22
Nihon university Aeronautical Students Group (NASG)
41
11 wins Team best: 38,010.28 metre (2018)
4
Takuma YOKOYAMA
24
The University of Electro-Communications U.E.C. wings
7
5
Hikaru UENO
22
Osaka Metropolitan University Sakai Fusha-no-kai
25
co-axical mid propeller 6 wins
6
Hideki MATSUNAGA
21
University of Tsukuba Tsukuba Birdman Works
27
7
Takaharu ISHIDA
21
Osaka institute of technology human-powered aircraft project
18
Strut brased wings and single blade propeller
8
Haruka OGIKUBO
28
TriStellation
1
9
Ryoki CHOKAWA
20
Tokyo Metropolitan University T-MIT
22
1 win
10
Kazutomo YAMAMOTO
21
Teikyo University Sky project
8
11
Subaru KAWAMI
22
Tokyo Institute of Technology Meister
24
5 wins Team best: 32,177.99 metre (2003)
12
Yuta WATANABE
36
BIRDMAN HOUSE IGA
5
2wins Record holder: 60,000.00 metre (2021)
13
Daichi IWATA
21
Tohoku University Windnauts
23
Defending champion 7 wins Team best: 36,868.80 metre (2022)
Day 2: 30 July 2023 (Sun.) Glider division start: 6:00 am (JST/UTC+9)
The “undisputed king of birdman” team Mitaka-Mobara with “Mr. Birdman” pilot Ohki had repeatedly renewed records set by themselves since the first record they had broken in 2001. However, their incredible work was stopped. They were defeated and the untouchable record they held was also broken in the previous competition. Does it mean that they dropped out of the top tier of JIBR? It seems to be nothing more than a few small differences in wind conditions and risks they took, which caused them to drop to 2nd place. Their glider and flight techniques remain highly competitive. Unfortunately, the current record holder, team Azamino, did not enter this competition, so we cannot witness their head-to-head competition. If weather conditions allow, it seems they will attempt to break Azamino’s record. Additionally, three strong competitors, team MaPPL of Tokyo Metropolitan University, IWATANI Clean Energy Team, and Nihon University Tsudanuma Aeronautical Team, which have their own team best over 400 meters of distance, will go up against Mitaka-Mobara.
Flight order
Pilot
Age
Team
Times
Remarks
1
Haruto ISHIZAKI
21
Muroran Institute of Technology Toriningen-bu (Birdman club)
5
2
Kazuma ENOKI
21
Hiroshima Institute of Technology HIT Sky Project
2
3
Yuta SUZUKI
19
Tokyo Metropolitan College of Industrial Technology Team ЯTR
20
4
Masato KAWANO
21
Kyusyu University Birdman Team
40
Low wing and T-tail
5
Yusei TOMODA
20
The University of Shiga Prefecture BiwaTech
4
6
Noa SUZUKI
20
Sophia University Team Flying Turkeys
21
7
Rina OMOI
20
Hosei University HoPE
20
8
Takuto MIZUNO
22
Tokyo Metropolitan University MaPPL
27
Students’ record holder 451.12 metre (2021)
9
Tomohiro AOKI
20
Nihon university college of industrial technology Tsudanuma Aeronautical Team
18
Team best: 446.42 metre(2018)
10
Nozomi SONOBE
27
IWATANI Clean energy team
13
Team of the main sponsor company Team best: 431.34 metre(2018)
11
Haruto YOSHIDA
20
Tokushima University Birdman project
3
12
Nana NISHIYAMA
20
Aichi High School of Technology and Engineering T&E Toriningen-bu (Birdman club)
3
13
Keita NAKADAI Hiroto EGUCHI
36 28
Team Tinker
3
Parallel layout two seater
14
Tatsuki TSUCHITORI
32
Tonjo no kai with Flight Works
8
15
Koki YASUDA
19
Tokyo University of Science Torica
15
16
Hiroshi IZUMI
46
Flower’s factory
4
17
Shoji OHKI
53
Team Mitaka Mobara Shimo-Yokota
33
Team best: 501.38 metre (2012)
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鳥人間コンテスト 出場チーム│読売テレビ(Japanese) : Japan International Birdman Rally TEAMS | YOMIURI TELECASTING CORPORATION(Official website) (Google translation does not work well.)
On 11 July 2023, Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation, which is the governing body of the Japan International Birdman Rally, announced the entry lists for the Japan International Birdman Rally 2023. The entry lists include BIRDMAN HOUSE IGA, which achieved a 60 km flight in the 2019 competition and is the current record holder in the human-powered propeller aircraft division. This comes as a surprise to HPA fans. After the 2021 competition, BIRDMAN HOUSE IGA had announced that they would no longer be participating in the Japan International Birdman Rally in order to focus on attempts to break world records for human-powered aircraft. As of this post, BIRDMAN HOUSE IGA has remained silent regarding any changes to their decision.
Photo of the platform in Japan International Birdman Rally posted by official twitter account of Japan International Birdman Rally. It seems that we look again BIRDMAN HOUSE IGA on the platform. SOURCE: https://twitter.com/ytvBirdman/status/1675396031796908032/photo/1
Like & Reference;
出場チーム｜鳥人間コンテスト｜読売テレビ(Japanese): Teams | Japan International Birdman Rally | YOMIURI TELECASTING CORPORATION(Official website) (Google translation do not work)
Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation, which is governing body of Japan International Birdman Rally, announced that they are preparing to hold the 45th Japan International Birdman Rally (JIBR) 2023. The 45th JIBR will consist of “The Glider division” and “The Distance division by human-powered propeller aircraft”. The governing body wants “great meaningful flights” and is looking for participants with their originality, unique design, challenging spirits, and efforts for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Additionally, Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation announced holding a online briefing session of the competition for persons wishing participates. The briefing sessions will be held using Microsoft Teams at 2 p.m. Japan Standard Time on 18 Dec., 2022. If you want to attend the session, you need to submit your information by 7 Dec., 2022 in Japan. The submitted information should be included followings;
Your team name
Name of participants of the session from your team
Your street address
Your contact information (mobile phone number is preferred)
Your E-mail address
Condition of your team’s activities under the COVID-19 pandemic
You can send the information by an E-mail. After you send the information, you will be received information for downloading rule books and application documents after on 14 Dec., 2022. You can attend the online session by one account per your team.
If you want more detail information, please visit the official JIBR website.
Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation, which is governing body of Japan International Birdman Rally, announced that they are prepare to hold the 44th Japan International Birdman Rally (JIBR) 2022. The 44th JIBR will consist of “The Glider division” and “The Distance division by human-powered propeller aircraft”. The governing body wants “great meaningful flights” and is looking for participants with their originality, unique design, challenging spirits, and efforts for SDGs.
Additionally, Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation announced holding a online briefing session of the competition for persons wishing participate. The briefing sessions will be held using Microsoft Teams at 2 p.m. Japan Standard Time on 16 Jan., 2022. If you want to attend the session, you need to submit your information by 7 Jan., 2022. The information should be include followings;
Your team name
Name of participants of the session from your team
Your street address
Your contact information (mobile phone number is preferred)
Your E-mail address
Condition of your team’s activities under the COVID-19 pandemic
You can send the information by a facsimile, or E-mail. After you send the information, you will be received information for downloading rule books and application documents after a later day. You can attend the online session by one account per your team.
If you want more detail information, please visit the official JIBR website.
Japanese HPA 