The Solar Powered R/C Airplane

sp_prelaunch_1200x660.jpg 

 wing_281x660.jpg

 

In February 2016 I began a 15-month effort to design and build a solar powered R/C glider. It was an entirely-new design from ground-up. The 10-foot wingspan model incorporates 32 high-efficiency solar cells to power the plane's radio control system and a small electric motor that provides propulsion.

 

Its maiden flight was on May 27, 2017 at the flying field of the Santa Fe Dam Radio Control Modelers located in Duarte, California. The first part of the flight can be seen here.

 

This airplane can fly on a clear day as long as the sun is high in the sky, without burning a drop of fuel or relying on charged batteries.

 

Fact Sheet (PDF)

 

Design Notes

Solar-Electric Generation (PDF)

Sustained Flight Power Requirements, Minimum Weight (PDF)

Sustained Flight Power Requirements, Maximum Weight (PDF)

Wing Aerodynamics, Maximum Weight

Wing Aerodynamics, Minimum Weight

Solar Altitude by Month and Hour (PDF)

 

Mechanical Sketches & Drawings

Airplane Front & Top Views (PDF)

Fuselage (PDF)

Horizontal Tail (PDF)

Vertical Tail (PDF)

Airfoil (PDF)

 

Electrical

Airplane Wiring Diagram (PDF)

Charge Controller Schematic (PDF)

Solar Cell Data Sheet (PDF)

 

Airplane Photos & Videos

 

Construction Photos

Wing

Fuselage

Tail

Charge Controller

Telemetry

 

Testing

Motor and Prop

Solar

 

Useful Links

Airfoils:

http://airfoiltools.com/airfoil/

http://airfoiltools.com/calculator/reynoldsnumber

 

Lift and Drag:

https://www.ajdesigner.com/phpwinglift/wing_lift_equation_force.php

http://airfoiltools.com/airfoil/

https://wright.nasa.gov/airplane/lifteq.html

https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/VirtualAero/BottleRocket/airplane/induced.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lift-induced_drag

 

Folding Propeller:

AeroNaut CAM

 

Outrunner Motor:

https://www.modelmotors.cz/product/detail/388/

 

Carbon Fiber Spar & Joiner:

https://www.rockwestcomposites.com/

 

 

 

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