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[Lizzie_Zoom]

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


 

[tunnie]

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

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Interesting Lizzie.....is this the end for the 747?...

[Lizzie_Zoom]

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!

[unlucky alf]

how will they cram 100+ passengers into that thing!, power to rate ratios are the biggest stumbling block i fancy.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

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

Airplanes were certainly considered no more than a play thing for the first few years

[zirk]

if it gets too close to Sun, the wax will melt and the solar panels will fall off, Icarus could have told them that.

[Martin_1962]

Is it forum sponsored?

[Dishevelled Den]

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


 

A new step forward in alternative energy use

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

I'm all for it. 8-)

[Kevin Wood]

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.

Kevin

[Kevin Wood]

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.

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.


Kevin

[Dishevelled Den]

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.

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.


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.

[Hannah Judes Dad]

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.

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.


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.

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

[Chris_H]

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.

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.


Kevin

You could use the hand-cranked DVD player instead.