Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: smokingfrog

Being electric and flying, I have to wonder why there is no “solar panel” molded into the composite structure to charge the batteries while flying. Solar Cells are light in weight and it is a VFR plane afterall. Anyway, $141K is rediculously expensive.


11 posted on 03/29/2011 10:33:43 AM PDT by bbernard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: bbernard

Was wondering the same exact thing. Lots of surface area for cells.


15 posted on 03/29/2011 10:39:52 AM PDT by AFreeBird
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies ]

To: bbernard

Looking at the size of the craft, you may be able to make 300 watts in full sun.

I don’t know how big the batteries are or the power usage but during a 3 hour flight, solar cells would only add another kilowatt hour under optimum conditions.

I suppose if you ran out of juice out in the desert, you could recharge the batteries after a few days and fly out.


17 posted on 03/29/2011 10:40:40 AM PDT by dangerdoc (see post #6)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies ]

To: bbernard

It includes a hangar with solar panels. I have a friend that factory built a Glassair Sportsman and by the time he got done getting avionics he was over $200k. It’s a really nice airplane, though.


20 posted on 03/29/2011 10:43:27 AM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson