Solar Powered Aircraft

The protopye of the first solar-powered plane flew over the Swiss countryside, completing its maiden flight from Payerne military center.

Thanks to the 12,000 solar cells manufactured into the 208 feet wing span (the wing span of a boeing 747), the 1,600 kg plane, (below the weight of a small car), The Solar Impuluse, functions without fuel and creates no discharge,
The plane soared for 87 minutes, on its inaugural flight, at an altitude of 1,200 metres, (4000 feet). "Everything went as it should," German test pilot Markus Scherdel told Reuters after disembarking the plane.

Four electric engines, producing just 40 horsepower, allows the plane to take off at 22 mph. It is designed to fly both day and night, by storing energy in its solar cells in high performance batteries.

The team anticipates starting night flying later this year.

Finally, the propeller plane is expected to reach a maximum altitude of 8,500 metres (27,900 feet), at an average flying speed of 70 km (40 - 45 miles) per hour.

"Such a large wingspan for so little weight is something completely new in the world of aviation," said Andre Borschberg, Swiss engineer, the other main pilot. He said the plane was ten times lighter than the top glider.

Part of a US$94 million project, the carbon fibre solar plane has taken seven years to create. The first flight has been the result of ten years of dreaming by founder and president Bertrand Piccard. The veteran aviator is well aware of the amount of work still required before the plane flies around the world without fuel, in 2012. The pilots will operate 36-hour shifts.

The plane however, is unable to fly in bad weather, as the solar panels need to be charged during the day, for the batteries to be fired up for night flying.
The Solar Impulse undertook its inaugural flight just two weeks short of the 106th anniversary of Wright Brothers first flight.

About Solar Powered Aircraft
For more information: http://www.tropicpost.com/solary-powered-aeroplane/

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