The Sunseeker II team have started their European tour. The high-tech solar powered sailplane is flying over Europe to demonstrate the viability of renewable energy sources for the world today. The Euro-tour plans to cover the length of Italy, down to Mount Etna on the island of Sicily, then east over the Austrian Dolomites, through Hungary and into Slovenia.
After a return to Torino, Italy (June 6-14) for the World Air Games and to fly alongside fellow solar aviators from the University of Stuttgart in their airplane Icare II, there will be an attempt at a world record-breaking non-stop flight by a solar plane, piloted by Eric Raymond, from Zurich to Barcelona.
On April 6th the Sunseeker II took off from Buttwil Airport, just outside of Zurich. Raymond took the solar plane for a 3 hour, 50 nautical mile (92.6km/57.5mile) loop over the Alps. They are now waiting for favorable winds to fly over the 5000m (16400ft) peak of the Matterhorn on the way to Torino.
You can visit their website at Solarflight 2009 to get updates on their adventures.
The Sunseeker I, flown by Eric Raymond, crossed the United States in 21 flight stages and over 121 hours in the air; and remains the longest journey made by a solar-powered aircraft.
Sunseeker II has more efficient solar panels, better batteries and a more refined electronics system. It has a redesigned, larger area wing, improved engine with more power and lower vibration propeller. The Sunseeker II carries one pilot, is 7m (23ft) long with a wing span of 17m (55ft). The empty weight is an incredibly light 120kg/265lb (gross weight of 230kg/507). The cruising speed is 65kph (40mph) with a max speed limit of 160kph (100mph). It behaves very much like a highly efficient glider with a glide ratio (lift/drag) of 35:1.
Visit: http://solar-flight.com/
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