Tour of Europe in Solar Airplane Sunseeker II
The new airplane Sunseeker II is the most capable solar powered airplane ever built and is ready once again to take to the skies, this time over Europe, in order to demonstrate the viability of renewable energy sources for the world today.
A long series of modifications and refinements led to an almost entirely new airplane (Sunseeker II) after successfully crossing the United States in Sunseeker I.
A new wing was constructed with a different plan form, more surface area for solar cell coverage, and a new technique for integrating the latest generation of solar cells into the actual wing structure rather than bonding them to the surface.
The new Sunseeker II features a unique teetering propeller, which drastically reduces vibration. A new motor was constructed for the airplane in 2006 which is twice as powerful as Sunseeker I’s motor.
An improved tail was fitted to the aircraft in addition to a new set of control electronics designed by Alan Cocconi for the batteries and solar arrays. The new electronics greatly increase the system’s efficiency. As a final touch, the new aircraft is fitted with four packs of advanced lithium polymer batteries, which find their home in the wings of the airplane.
Interesting Statistic of Sunseeker II
- Crew: 1
- Length: 7 m
- Wing span: 17 m
- Empty weight: 120 kg
- Gross weight: 230 kg
- Cruise speed: 65 km/h
- Vne: 160 km/h
- Glide ratio (L/D max): 35/1
- Minimum sink rate: 0.5 m/s
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