Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Lizzie_Zoom on 08 July 2010, 11:46:07

Title: Solar Plane Success
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 08 July 2010, 11:46:07
Is this the start of something big? :-/ :-/

A new step forward in alternative energy use? :-/ :-/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/10550430.stm


 :D :D ;)

Title: Re: Solar Plane Success
Post by: tunnie on 08 July 2010, 11:47:43
apart from last couple of weeks, thats got no hope of getting power in the UK.

That said maybe conventional engines to get it in the air, then once above clouds could switch to solar?

Still long way off though, modern planes need a lot of power
Title: Re: Solar Plane Success
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 08 July 2010, 11:49:01
Interesting Lizzie.....is this the end for the 747?... ::) ::) ;)
Title: Re: Solar Plane Success
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 08 July 2010, 11:54:15
Quote
Interesting Lizzie.....is this the end for the 747?... ::) ::) ;)

I think a very long way off for that, but with development over the next decade or five...............who knows Optimist! :D :D :D ;)
Title: Re: Solar Plane Success
Post by: unlucky alf on 08 July 2010, 11:58:45
how will they cram 100+ passengers into that thing!, power to rate ratios are the biggest stumbling block i fancy. ;)
Title: Re: Solar Plane Success
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 08 July 2010, 12:01:00
Quote
how will they cram 100+ passengers into that thing!, power to rate ratios are the biggest stumbling block i fancy. ;)


Yep, I can imagine there were the same type of doubts when the Wright Brothers first took off Alf :D ;) ;)

Airplanes were certainly considered no more than a play thing for the first few years :) :)
Title: Re: Solar Plane Success
Post by: zirk on 08 July 2010, 12:07:52
if it gets too close to Sun, the wax will melt and the solar panels will fall off, Icarus could have told them that.
Title: Re: Solar Plane Success
Post by: Martin_1962 on 08 July 2010, 12:24:18
Is it forum sponsored?
Title: Re: Solar Plane Success
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 08 July 2010, 13:25:57
Quote
Is this the start of something big? :-/ :-/

A new step forward in alternative energy use? :-/ :-/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/10550430.stm


 :D :D ;)




Quote
A new step forward in alternative energy use

Perhaps in the future Lizzie but I must say that it's a start at least :y

I'm all for it. 8-) :y
Title: Re: Solar Plane Success
Post by: Kevin Wood on 08 July 2010, 21:39:20
What's a glider if not a solar powered plane? ;)

Duration record 56h 15mn       02/04/1952       Charles Atger.

Now a discontinued record as the safety of such long flights was called into question. ;D

Kevin
Title: Re: Solar Plane Success
Post by: Kevin Wood on 08 July 2010, 23:54:29
Actually, that plane has some interesting specs:

Wingspan 63m
Mass        1600 kg
Take-off speed 35 kph
Flying speed 70 kph
Ceiling 27,900 ft

So, massive wings (same span as a 747-400) which means they are very lightly loaded (1600kg versus 396,000 kg).

200m2 wing area lifting 1600 kg. My glider has 10.5 m2 lifting 472 kg, and that's not exactly inefficient.

Such lightly loaded wings mean little drag, and the ability to create enough lift to support the structure at high altitude despite the dismally slow flying speed and very thin air.

This isn't the way to go about building a passenger aircraft. ;D

I can see things like this providing a reconnaissance / surveillance platform, replacing police aircraft, etc. and perhaps replacing satellites in some roles (e.g. broadcasting and wireless comms). I don't think you'll be jetting off to Spain in one any time soon, though. FFS take a good book if you do. ;D


Kevin
Title: Re: Solar Plane Success
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 09 July 2010, 00:06:03
Quote
Actually, that plane has some interesting specs:

Wingspan 63m
Mass        1600 kg
Take-off speed 35 kph
Flying speed 70 kph
Ceiling 27,900 ft

So, massive wings (same span as a 747-400) which means they are very lightly loaded (1600kg versus 396,000 kg).

200m2 wing area lifting 1600 kg. My glider has 10.5 m2 lifting 472 kg, and that's not exactly inefficient.

Such lightly loaded wings mean little drag, and the ability to create enough lift to support the structure at high altitude despite the dismally slow flying speed and very thin air.

This isn't the way to go about building a passenger aircraft. ;D

I can see things like this providing a reconnaissance / surveillance platform, replacing police aircraft, etc. and perhaps replacing satellites in some roles (e.g. broadcasting and wireless comms). I don't think you'll be jetting off to Spain in one any time soon, though. FFS take a good book if you do. ;D


Kevin


Might I suggest one or more of the following:


The Sun King by Nancy Mitford;

Empire of the Sun by J G Ballard;

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway. :y
Title: Re: Solar Plane Success
Post by: Hannah Judes Dad on 09 July 2010, 09:51:31
Quote
Quote
Actually, that plane has some interesting specs:

Wingspan 63m
Mass        1600 kg
Take-off speed 35 kph
Flying speed 70 kph
Ceiling 27,900 ft

So, massive wings (same span as a 747-400) which means they are very lightly loaded (1600kg versus 396,000 kg).

200m2 wing area lifting 1600 kg. My glider has 10.5 m2 lifting 472 kg, and that's not exactly inefficient.

Such lightly loaded wings mean little drag, and the ability to create enough lift to support the structure at high altitude despite the dismally slow flying speed and very thin air.

This isn't the way to go about building a passenger aircraft. ;D

I can see things like this providing a reconnaissance / surveillance platform, replacing police aircraft, etc. and perhaps replacing satellites in some roles (e.g. broadcasting and wireless comms). I don't think you'll be jetting off to Spain in one any time soon, though. FFS take a good book if you do. ;D


Kevin


Might I suggest one or more of the following:


The Sun King by Nancy Mitford;

Empire of the Sun by J G Ballard;

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway. :y

Accompanying soundtrack includes

The sun always shines on tv   A-ha

I won't let the sun go down on me  Nick Kershaw or Elton John

Pink Pink Sunshine  Fuzzbox

Sunshine of your love  Cream

Title: Re: Solar Plane Success
Post by: Chris_H on 09 July 2010, 10:15:52
Quote
Actually, that plane has some interesting specs:

Wingspan 63m
Mass        1600 kg
Take-off speed 35 kph
Flying speed 70 kph
Ceiling 27,900 ft

So, massive wings (same span as a 747-400) which means they are very lightly loaded (1600kg versus 396,000 kg).

200m2 wing area lifting 1600 kg. My glider has 10.5 m2 lifting 472 kg, and that's not exactly inefficient.

Such lightly loaded wings mean little drag, and the ability to create enough lift to support the structure at high altitude despite the dismally slow flying speed and very thin air.

This isn't the way to go about building a passenger aircraft. ;D

I can see things like this providing a reconnaissance / surveillance platform, replacing police aircraft, etc. and perhaps replacing satellites in some roles (e.g. broadcasting and wireless comms). I don't think you'll be jetting off to Spain in one any time soon, though. FFS take a good book if you do. ;D


Kevin
You could use the hand-cranked DVD player instead. :D