..and in other news: twin engine electric airplane sets speed record!

[dtango]

...at 162 mph!

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/12/electric-airplane-sets-new-speed-record/



EADS Cri Cri

2 x 15 HP electric engines
375 lbs of aircraft

Endurance: 30 min of autonomous flight, 15 min for aerobatic flight.  Heck 15 min is all that's needed for base defense stall fighting  !

[Pigslilspaz]

I want one...

[bozon]

OMG Sylar is flying it!

[Tupac]

OMG Sylar is flying it!

(Image removed from quote.)

I though he looked more like Michael phelps

[MachFly]

This reminds me of:

"never ever never drive a car that you are taller than when you are siting in that it is long" Jeremy Clarkson

[Larry]

It looks like one of those little clown cars.

[Melvin]

It looks like one of those little clown cars.

How many Muppets will come crawling out upon landing?  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKULi72yUko&feature=related

You may be awesome pile-its, but your name is ridiculous. Therefore, I will use any excuse to show that clip.  

<S> Melvin

Edit: Neat plane by the way.

[W7LPNRICK]

I a few years the entire top skin will be solar cells, or battery cells and in daylight will fly for hours. 

[EagleDNY]

I a few years the entire top skin will be solar cells, or battery cells and in daylight will fly for hours. 

I don't think so - 30Hp = about 22Kw of electrical power - solar cells for 22Kw would cover a large portion of the roof of a building.  The surface area of that little plane just won't cut it.  It's been a little while since I needed to buy panels, but the commercial panels were running about 15w / square foot (although the super expensive panels would do about twice that).

[Serenity]

I don't think so - 30Hp = about 22Kw of electrical power - solar cells for 22Kw would cover a large portion of the roof of a building.  The surface area of that little plane just won't cut it.  It's been a little while since I needed to buy panels, but the commercial panels were running about 15w / square foot (although the super expensive panels would do about twice that).

That's why it's gonna take a few years

[dtango]

I don't think so - 30Hp = about 22Kw of electrical power - solar cells for 22Kw would cover a large portion of the roof of a building.  The surface area of that little plane just won't cut it.  It's been a little while since I needed to buy panels, but the commercial panels were running about 15w / square foot (although the super expensive panels would do about twice that).

There certainly are limitations.  However this electric aircraft powered by solar cells was aloft for 26 hours .

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-20017420-76.html

[DERK13]

I a few years the entire top skin will be solar cells, or battery cells and in daylight will fly for hours. 

i think the weight to lift ratio would be a big prob, solar panels are heavy. but anyways what happens when you run outta BATTERIES!!

[W7LPNRICK]

I don't think so - 30Hp = about 22Kw of electrical power - solar cells for 22Kw would cover a large portion of the roof of a building.  The surface area of that little plane just won't cut it.  It's been a little while since I needed to buy panels, but the commercial panels were running about 15w / square foot (although the super expensive panels would do about twice that).

Yes I know. Our Ham radio repeater up at 8400ft here in Idaho have very large solar cells, which cover with snow then the wind turbine kicks in and all this only powers a 100 watt repeater with a couple smaller link radios and an aprs digipeater, But intent was as fast as things are improving & new discoveries theirs no telling what we'll have in a few years. Our solar cells today are far more efficient then the ones in the 70's, thinner, lighter, etc. Would be cool if it could recharge or just maintain current for a longer flight.

[W7LPNRICK]

That's why it's gonna take a few years

Thanks...I should read all before commenting. 

[W7LPNRICK]

There certainly are limitations.  However this electric aircraft powered by solar cells was aloft for 26 hours .

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-20017420-76.html

(Image removed from quote.)

I knew I had seen this. But the motors are very low wattage and it definitely a low powered glider, but very cool anyway.