Designing the longest range Electric Aircraft: The Solar Aircraft

In this video we are going to explore solar aircraft. Contrary to the popular belief, electric aircraft have been around for nearly 50 years, thanks to Solar photovoltaics.
Solar PV technology has reached a level where it can increase the range of certain electric aircraft (Powered Sailplanes) by 6 times.

[debaustin]

???? What is the name of the plane on your cover picture for this YouTube video.... It has two solar wings and appears to be somewhat of a glider??? I was hoping it would be covered in the video... Which was great!. The idea called my interests because with two wings you can avoid the extremely long one wing glider and still get the surface area for solar capture.... Thank you keep up the videos.!!!

[simeonhunter]

I flew the Sunseeker Duo with the owner and builder Eric Raymond in the summer of 2020; the drone footage you used at the end is from that trip. One thing about that aircraft is that you don’t need a headset; it’s absolutely silent. I’ve been theorizing about building a solar aircraft myself for years.

[msulemanf]

Really enjoyed this potted history of solar aircraft. Dense with facts and figures and nice production values without flashy padding. Brilliant - if only more of youtube was like this.

[jietsedemars]

Your YT channel is sincerely underrated.

I've been daydreaming about this since a while ago. The things I'm wondering are:
- What will be the reduction in drag if an electric aircraft flies at an altitude of 18 km (same speed but higher range)?
- What will be the multiplier of the solar panel efficiency at this level (is it linear with what you mentioned in the video)?
- Will electric motors achieve higher efficiency levels due to the lower operating temperature (- 60 °C)?

Anyway, I really love your channel as I share the same ideas/thoughts as you.

Keep up the good work!!

[justinklenk]

Another awesome episode!! 👍

"Wehicles" etc - I'm lovin it! 👏

[ThreeWheelTherapy]

The planes based on sailplanes can shut down the motor and stow or feather the props, and use thermaling under pilot control. The charge time is constant so the range is greatly extended

[pingnick]

Wow very engineering focused episode! Excellent!!

[hughwaller]

Thanks for the great information, and clear simple formulas.

[ilkoderez]

You have a really great channel. Definitely one of my top 10 favorite! THANK YOU

[oxcart]

Fascinating! It will be incredible to see all the developments in EA over the coming years on this channel. Good luck!

[njm]

Very informative and well presented not to mention that I can actually hear the video without maximizing the volume and putting my ear to the speaker. Look forward to more content.

[bernardthedisappointedowl]

Brilliant episode, thanks for all you hard work putting this together, excellent, ^oo^

[technomad]

love your vids! informative, friendly and easy to watch, good luck with the v's there very vexing <3

[markstevens]

“And with this, the video is concluded.”

YouTube is not worthy of such direct language.

[chubbymoth]

Very interesting. I hope to see more of such quality content, so subscribed to your channel.

[kirkjohnson]

Very much enjoyed this video. Great work.

[andrewashmore]

Excellent video, thanks for making, some indepth info.

[carlost.]

Super informative! Thank you for making this!

[ricardoimai]

Amazing explanation, thanks for sharing

[DavidElzeitsinfill]

Love your videos. Always get a lot of good information and so many good ideas.