On Thu, 08 Feb 2007 21:16:54 -0500, Margy Natalie
wrote in :

Larry Dighera wrote:
On Wed, 10 Jan 2007 03:58:26 -0000, Jim Logajan
wrote in :


Larry Dighera wrote:

http://www.teslamotors.com/

The world altitude record for propeller-driven aircraft belongs not to one
powered by an internal combustion engine but by...

... a solar electric powered aircraft!

Specifically the NASA Pathfinder planes:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/n...-034-DFRC.html

"During 1998, the Pathfinder was modified into the longer-winged
Pathfinder-Plus configuration. On Aug. 6, 1998, the modified aircraft was
flown to a record altitude of 80,201 feet for propeller-driven aircraft on
the third of a series of developmental test flights from PMRF on Kaua'i."


Yes. We have discussed MacCready's work here in the past. It was
unmanned, and structurally questionable in the name of extreme weight
reduction, but it was able to remain aloft for extended periods, IIRC.
It's really cool looking also. It was hung a week or 3 ago at the
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian
(Chantilly, VA - Dulles Airport)

Margy

MacCready and AeroVironment produced an(other) aircraft that
represents a milestone in aviation. It certainly deserves a hallowed
place in aviation history.

http://www.avinc.com/uav_lab_project_detail.php?id=40
Pathfinder flew to 50,567 feet at Edwards September 12, 1995, its
first trip to the stratosphere. From there, it was improved and
taken to the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), Kauai, Hawaii
for test flights in 1997, where it flew to 71,504 feet on July 7,
before performing a series of science missions over the Hawaiian
Islands.

Pathfinder Specifications:
Wingspan: Pathfinder 98.4 feet (29.5 meters); Pathfinder-Plus 121
feet (36.3 meters)

Length: 12 feet (3.6 meters)

Wing chord: 8 feet (2.4 meters)

Wing Aspect Ratio: Pathfinder -12 to 1; Pathfinder-Plus-- 15 to 1

Gross weight: Pathfinder about 560 pounds (252 kg.);
Pathfinder-Plus about 700 pounds (315 kg.).

Payload: Pathfinder—up to 100 pounds (45 kg.); Pathfinder-Plus up
to 150 pounds (67.5 kg.)

Airspeed: Approx. 17-20 mph cruise.

Power: Arrays of solar cells, maximum output: Pathfinder—about
7,500 watts; Pathfinder-Plus—about 12,500 watts.

Motors: Pathfinder, six electric motors; Pathfinder-Plus, eight
electric motors, 1.5 kW maximum each.

Endurance: About 14 to 15 hours, daylight limited with two to five
hours on backup batteries.

Glide ratio (power off): Pathfinder—18 to 1; Pathfinder-Plus—21 to
1.

Manufacturer: AeroVironment, Inc., Monrovia, Calif.

Primary materials: Carbon fiber, Nomex, Kevlar, plastic sheeting
and plastic foam.


Here's MacCready's latest

http://www.avinc.com/uas_dev_project_detail.php?id=115
Global Observer is the latest development in High Altitude Long
Endurance (HALE) UAS, being the first operational configuration
able to provide long-dwell stratospheric capability with global
range and no latitude restrictions. Global Observer's unique
combination of both extreme flight duration and stratospheric
operating altitude is designed to deliver advantages in cost,
capacity, coverage, flexibility, and reliability that make it a
compelling complement to existing satellite, aerial and
terrestrial assets.

Missions Communications Relay & Remote Sensing
Features High-Altitude, Long-Endurance platform (all latitude
capability)
Endurance/Range Over 1 week/global
Payload Up to 400 lbs. for GO-1 & 1,000 lbs for GO-2
Operating Altitude 65,000 feet
Expected Availability Within 2 years for U.S. government, with
funding