VIDEO: Solar-powered Plane Makes First Flight

[dreamphantom_1977]

[citation][nom]swissdragon[/nom]The engine noise in the background is misleading. Electric engines do not make any considerable noise. What I hear is a helicopter taking off in the background. This should have been claryfied in the video.[/citation]

No that is actually the plane making that noise, not a helicopter. It's making that much noise because of the size, and angle of the prop. Plus there are 4 props which makes it worse.

My guess is the electric engines don't spin that fast because they are solar powered, so they propellers need more of an angle and enough surface area to push enough air to move the plane. That would also explain the huge wingspan and why it has to be so light.

I'm sure that this is just a prototype, as newer solar panels are much more efficient and should allow for a redesign.

 

[vaughn2k]

This is what I like about Tom's. Good News!

 

[mlopinto2k1]

[citation][nom]enzo matrix[/nom]As a pilot I gotta say, no it won't. Unless you totally screw up. Considering gliders are designed the same (except for the engines, it looks exactly like a glider), I suppose you consider them dangerous as all get-out too? As for running out of power, turn off the engines. The large wingspan vs short chord along with the light weight will make it an excellent glider. A good 20 minutes gliding at the same speed as flying will probably bring it back up to full power. Then gain back the[/citation]I will not argue you with you.. your a pilot. Just doesn't seem safe.

 

[requiemsallure]

[citation][nom]gwwerner[/nom]They had better get started on that flight around the world. If they fly around the equator at 45 MPH the trip will take about 23 days. Hopefully the plane has autopilot so the pilot doesn't have to stay awake the whole time.[/citation]
hopefully there are not too many high clouds

 

[Guest]

That aircraft traveling at 45 mph won't be able to outrace the sun, unlike the retired Concorde. So it will experience many days at night. The pilot will be getting lots of sleep and the trip will take more than 23 days.

Of course, he'll have to land/take off on water much of that time too, which will make for an interesting engineering problem.