Solar-Powered Aircraft Developments Solar One
Solar One | |
---|---|
Role | Electric aircraft |
National origin | United Kingdom |
Manufacturer | Solar-Powered Aircraft Developments |
Designer | David Williams |
First flight | 13 June 1979 |
Introduction | 1978 |
Retired | 1979 |
Number built | One |
The Solar-Powered Aircraft Developments Solar One is a British
Design and development
Freddie To was a member of the
A nose-mounted pod powerplant was installed consisting of four 1 hp (1 kW) permanent magnet 36 V
To recharge the batteries, 750 solar cells of 3 inch diameter were installed at a cost of £6,000. At that time solar cells were very expensive. They were the most costly part of the aircraft and had to be limited in capacity to remain within the project budget of £16,000.[1][2]
The output from the solar cells is not sufficient to sustain flight. Before flight they are used to charge the batteries. The batteries then provide power for takeoff and initial climb. The installed batteries provide for a climb of eight minutes plus a two-minute cruise allowance.[1]
Operational history
The first flight attempt took place at Lasham Airfield, Hampshire, United Kingdom on 19 December 1978. The propeller pitch was incorrectly set and the attempt achieved only a short hop. At the hands of pilot Ken Stewart, a successful flight took place on 13 June 1979, covering just under 0.75 mi (1.2 km).[1] The aircraft lifted off at 18 to 20 kn (33 to 37 km/h) and reached 35 kn (65 km/h) and 80 ft (24 m) in height. A second flight on the same day by Bill Maidment achieved a speed of 42 kn (78 km/h). All flights were made on battery power that had been supplied on the ground from the installed solar cells.[1][2]
A planned flight across the English Channel was abandoned when it was found that the aircraft did not meet its endurance targets.[2]
Specifications (Solar One)
Data from History of Solar Flight[2] and Flight Global[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Length: 22 ft 0 in (6.71 m)
- Wingspan: 68 ft 0 in (20.73 m)
- Wing area: 260 sq ft (24 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 17.8:1
- Airfoil: Wortman FX180
- Empty weight: 230 lb (104 kg)
- Powerplant: 4 × Bosch 36 volt DC, 12 amp permanent magnet electric motor, 1 hp (0.75 kW) each with output via 3:1 reduction chain drive
- Propellers: 2-bladed, 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) diameter
Performance
- Maximum speed: 48 mph (78 km/h, 42 kn)
- Service ceiling: 80 ft (24 m)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "UK's first solar aircraft takes off", Flight International, 30 June 1979, Page 2336.[1]
- ^ a b c d e Robert J. Boucher; "History of Solar Flight", AIAA/SAE/ASME 20th Joint Propulsion Conference, 1984, AIAA paper 84-1429."Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
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: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1980-81, Jane's, 1980, Page249.