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(Moderators: Mitch., Fly2e, ozzy72, beaky, Clipper, JBaymore, Bob70, BigTruck)

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A glimpse of the future? (Read 570 times)

May 15^th, 2011 at 2:41pm

ozzy72 Offline
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The future coming to our door?
http://beta.uk.news.yahoo.com/solar-plane-makes-first-international-flight-12053...

There are two types of aeroplane, Spitfires and everything else that wishes it was a Spitfire!

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Reply #1 - May 16^th, 2011 at 3:12pm

Steve M Offline
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Cambridge On.

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It's not going to be much of a hit at airshows. 43 mph and almost no noise. Still it's pretty cool. Wink

Flying with twins is a lot of fun..

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Reply #2 - May 23^rd, 2011 at 6:17pm

Strategic Retreat Offline
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44 Miles per hour? Statute miles? This means about 40 knots... I know of KITES that fly faster, and I'm not going into gliders because it'd be a slaughter. Cheesy

I cannot but ask myself the wisdom of building a plane that is actually no faster than a ship but plagued with all the inherent difficulties in trying to use solar power to keep yourself detached from the surface... at 40Kias night WILL fall while you're on a not even that large a body of water... no reason to take the oceans as an example, the Mediterranean would more than suffice to do in one of those planes... or a cloud just MAY ruin your day... and then, what do you do? Swimming competition? Roll Eyes

Experimenting? Well, all right then start experimenting on obtaining at least 4 times THAT speed before throwing yourself into a long range travel. Do not make people think that adding a propeller powered by pedals you'd be going faster. Roll Eyes

There is no such a thing as overkill. Only unworthy targets.

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Reply #3 - May 24^th, 2011 at 10:07am

ozzy72 Offline
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Strategic what is your problem? Why are you always so negative and seemingly wanting to argue with the world?
This is a remarkable achievement, so let me try and give you some perspective, just over 100 years ago the Wright Brothers managed to fly with a speed of 6.8 mph for 120 feet. Look what we can do today!
Please try and be less negative and try and think a little before you post, you'll find you get along with people a lot better Wink

There are two types of aeroplane, Spitfires and everything else that wishes it was a Spitfire!

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Reply #4 - May 24^th, 2011 at 8:08pm

BigTruck Offline
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Your link died Ozzy. Here's an updated link with video. Wink

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13392408

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Reply #5 - May 24^th, 2011 at 8:12pm

BigTruck Offline
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In response to Strategic Retreat, they weren't trying to set a speed record Roll Eyes

They were able to develop solar cells that would store enough of the energy it received during the day to stay aloft during long periods of no sun light (crawl before you walk...etc)

Eventually we will see faster birds. This was a big break through just keeping it aloft that long with no sunshine.

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Reply #6 - May 25^th, 2011 at 6:15am

ozzy72 Offline
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Thanks for the updated link there Truck Wink

There are two types of aeroplane, Spitfires and everything else that wishes it was a Spitfire!

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Reply #7 - May 26^th, 2011 at 7:50pm

machineman9 Offline
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Nantwich, England

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It's perfect for people who only have day-ratings, who live in very sunny areas, and for people who don't fly more than a couple of miles from their home base Grin

It's a great concept, but as per a lot of things, it still has a long way to go before it will be entirely useful.

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Reply #8 - May 27^th, 2011 at 5:50am

ozzy72 Offline
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Err, for this flight you'd have needed an instruments ticket as it was done at night...

There are two types of aeroplane, Spitfires and everything else that wishes it was a Spitfire!

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