ELECTRICAL- AND SUN-POWERED GLIDERS: DO THEY REQUIRE A DEFINITION OF NEW F.A.I. CLASSES?

Authors

  • Pierluigi Duranti Federation Aeronautique lnternationale Presented at the XXV OSTIV Congress, St. Auban, France

Keywords:

Aerodynamics, Design

Abstract

Recent interesting achievements in the field of solar powered flight have demonstrated that the technology is available for aircraft capable of safely taking-off and reaching a soaring altitude in complete autonomy. In addition solar energy could also be used to power onboard devices capable of indirectly improving the aerodynamic performance of a flying machine. This paper presents a short history of these pioneering experiences, points out the technical differences between the few existing (flying) examples and mentions some predictable improvements as well as other altemative energy accumulation/management means of the near future. This paper addresses a series of questions to be answered and develops some considerations about these new airplanes, mainly related to their classification and to the relationships between such possible new categories and those already existing.

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Issue

Vol. 22 No. 3 (1998)

Section

Articles

License

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