Solar Challenger

NO OCR TEXT NO OCR TEXT leader team talented energetic young designers family friends helped him turn Gossamer concept elegant form An outrageous optimist months after Bryan Allen pilot pedaled way history books winning Kremer prize Gossamer Condor August 1977 MacCready calmly announced new design Gossamer Albatross would Dr MacCready adds sandbag wing during Static load testing Simi Valley workshop fly English Channel moment somehow too seemed inevitable June 12 1979 Bryan flew 22 miles Eng land France 2 hours 50 minutes win second Kremer prize 100000 pounds sterling Solar power Paul MacCready head full ideas search prohiems solve concerned environment energyProject Manager Ray Morgan rubs down photovoltaic cells attached double-sided transfer tape Blame Rawdon straps Nomex onto wing spar tube using Tedlar tape spar seven inches diameter Challengers propulsion unit uses Astro Flight 25 electric motor driving propeller through reduction gearing pushrod linkages front Operate variable pitch propeller outerwrap epoxy-impregnated Kevlar cloth held place wing spar stretchy Tedlar tape cures Bob Boucher Astro Flight fits Astro 25 motorto Solar Challenger motor produces 7500 rpm driving variable-pitch prop 300 rpm through gear reduction systempowered entirely solar cells saving issues dedicated applica tion practical aeronautics efficiency conservation alternative energy sources currently proposed Dr MacCready believes great potential future photo voltaic solar cells wafer-thin brittle silicon crystal cells just couple square inches size produce small electric current exposed light After initial investment purchasing cells energy produced freeas long sun continues shine Admittedly price solar cells today relatively high time price ball-point pen electronic calculator time no doubt mass production will also reduce price solar cells Solar Challenger fusion current ideas future thinking aims two fold dramatically demonstrate what can achieved limited supply energy through high efficiency lightweight design promote use photovoltaic cells Solar-powered aircraft unlikely achieve widespread usage forsecable future However problems solar-powered flight difficult ap plications can overcome high lights other earth-bound uses better suited domestic use around home transportation remote locations first manned solar flight experiments performed using converted airframe Gossamer Penguin cross-channel backup plane panel 3920 photovoltaic cells mounted almost vertically face rising sun above 72-ft-span wings Following some battery-powered test flights first sustained manned solar-pow ered flight made May 18 1980 Marshall MacCready Pauls 13-year-old son pilotchosen flying skills because weighed 80 lb Later Janice Brown woman pilot weighing 95 lb made two-mile flight lasting 14 min utes modest achievements proved solar flight feasible paved way Solar Challenger 68 lb superlight Penguin marginally airworthy barely capable sustaining flight after tow launchonly calmest conditions just after dawnonly direction north south perpendicular sun-with altitude limited about 10 ft literally no higher pilot prepared fall should structure fail airborne Solar Challenger conceived much robust design comparable per formance regular light aircraft Unlike early-morning Penguin Challenger mid-day machine solar cells mounted horizontally covering available upper surface wings tail unique airfoil specially designed rear 85% upper surface perfectly flat give cells exactly same orientation conventional cambered upper surface cell would face sun different angle thereby producing varying amounts power Consultant propulsion unit Bob Boucher himself pioneer solar-powered flight Sunrise II remotely-pi loted vehicles first flew 1974 Bob also well known model fliers through company Astro Flight has done much promote electric-powered models cells used Solar Challenger con vert 13% suns light energy electricity Because cell produces tiny amount power joined gether circuit 16128 cells typically wired strings 144 series three paralleL means cell Continued page 137 Ireaeceasorto Solar Challengerwasthe Gossamer Penguin robust version powered aircraft Gossamer Albatross flew English Channel wing center panel Vertical ribs end bay take tension loads Mylar covering heat-shrunk place Carbon tiber tubes used throughout main strucxurai memours UDUS Up 10 IWO IflUIlUS diameter reinforced outerwrap Keviar largerfuselage boom wing spartubes wrapped sandwich Nomex honeycomb Kevlar handle deflection can aid maintaining com fortable high-speed stability Richard L Peny 416 Woodhill Dr Golds boro NC 27530 CL Speed/Hempel Continued page 69 formed entirely sheet aluminum material like D Speed entry have see models appreciate amount work time required build Don has exper imenting different head configurations discussed using small ID longer head dimension present 3-in head length Class fellows off usual fast pace Nick Sher Langhorne PA turning 17588mph Open Speed G D Hooke James Van Santturned 14593 mph 12539 mph respectively David Hooke turned 12547 mph capture first Junior Speed FAI Speed Sam Burke Cambridge Ont Canada member Canadian FAI Team taking first 14621 mph Ed Gifford Newfield NJ second 13315 mph Close behind Stewart Henderson Missis sauga Ont 13081 mph flight FAI Speed appears attracting fliers hope trend continues need modelers participate FAI speed Open Formula 40 record number entries total 10 Glenn Lee Batavia IL set pace 15458 mph flight 1st Close behind Carl Shaefer Glen Van Sant flights 14846mph 14712mph respectively Formula 40 fuel restriction specifies mixture 40% nitro 40% alcohol 20% oil has slowed speeds down some what Speed fliers indicated head configuration very important make engine perform low-nitro fuel Formula 40 really fun event fly engines powered F-40 models split between Supertigre X-40 K&B 65 engines Glenn Lee used K&B 65 Carl Shaefer used X-40 use glass props F-40 D Speed has really increased experience has mph advantage glass props over wood Team Race fliers tends prove using glass carbon-fiber props Open Speed rough Al Stegens Cleveland OH pushed open-faced TD up 12417 mph Close behind Nick Sher tuned pipe TD flight 12297 mph Sam Burke placed 3rd beautiful asymmetrical model flight 10723 mph Formula 21 Junior provisional event two entries Robin Shaw Clemmons NC turned 10413 mph flight 1st Sheldon Ybanez Roanoke VA turning 8786 mph 2nd have several request blank Cox cylinders chromed crankshafts information mail SASE P&G Metal Shop 301 North Yale Dr Garland TX 75042 Gene Hempel 301 N Yale Dr Garland TX 75042 Solar Challenger/Cowley Continued page 75 FEATURES INCLUDE Space battery & meter panel Transmitter compartment Room gallon fuel MASTER AIRSCREW FLIGHTBOX KIT Master Airscrew Flight Box has features larger boxes compact handy arrangement parts cut imported mahogany plywood will take stain varnish paint finishes overall size 19Y2x9Wx 12 high $3495 dealer postpaid California add 6% Sales Tax Propeller storage Gravity closed small parts storage 7/8 aluminum handle Complete instructions & fasteners WINDSOR PROPELLER CO PO Box 112 Windsor CA 95492 LEISURE WIME EXTRAGraphics ~PresentsforyourHolidayPleasure VWITH FREE CARDS Hobby_Card EACH BOX *2OCARDS &ENV/BOX II LIST PRICE $1200 BOX II *ALL CARDS 5x 7 Y * FULL COLOR Special $995 Box 11 TV EDESCRIPTI NRICE/BC NFLGRC IRC_ C 735 R/C BIPLANE SKYWRITING HAPPY HOLIDAYS_______ __ •CO IDER & SANTA CHASING FREE FLIGHT ON MOTOR BIKE $995 S R IC 7501 R/C BOAT PULLING SANTA uN WATER SKIS I 5 NT OPRTINGRCCRAROUNDCH STM R C 6 XED BOX. 0 35 MAKE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO HOW TO ORDER ~FR BOX FOR POSTAGE HANDLING AND INSURANCE LEISURE 1JIME GraphIcsNY STATE ADD 7% TAX POST OFFICE BOX 108NY CITY ADD 8% TAX STATEN ISLAND NEW YORK 10306 No Cash Stamps Please_ RIC Free-Flight Assist Friendly Giant SUPER BUCCANEERpian Set se Win span 5 En inc. Original design dates1937$1795 wgt i s wlo radio 25 chef/C #RCFF1 Prices Complete Plans Sub Assembly Detailed Parts Lists Add $200 tor Mailing Tube Send Brochure Details new designs & great thin9s come Send $100 refundable information 4 .u ru r 4in I2 r October1981 137 damaged shaded does pro duce its share power can degrade power entire string accounts part configuration Challenger KIORITZ ENUINES BY GIBBS HOBBY & R Original Developer Factory Trained Authorized Master Service Dealer Carb Needles &Throttle Accessible _______________Engine Running Year Limited nty Pro-Drilled Props AvaiL Ask About Custom-Built KIORITZ Fngines Deep Fins Optimum Cooling 21/4 Flywheel Small Magneto 1 5/8 Six Bolt Aluminum Hub 242 cc 397cc 3llP 018000 tROt Weight 6 15 Don Godfrey [~722276j Points Sealed Rear Housing $19995 pay ship pro-paid orders Mufflers Now Available DEALERS WELCOME Roll Snoongo Crock Caged Rollers Rod Piston Pin GIBBS HOBBY & RESEARCH 6195 Hillfield St NW N CANTON OHIO 44720 Phone 21 6 499-8854 after 600 PM See Dealer Mr Gs Products & Supply 1010 Gratiot Marysville Ml 48040 designed no shade fin pro peller will ever fall across solar array Sim ilarly no kingpost wire bracing could used Gossamer planes Because power input sun varies continuously flight due orientation intensity variable-pitch propeller used match load electric motor available power propeller work GET ORGANI7FflI s net 4 Sturdy tiles 4 yeaS 500110001CC 5o 4 MAG FILES $4 Send $495 plus SI 00 pusiage harraheg 0GM INOIJSTRIES PO Box 388-K DOVER NH 03820 RC Sailplane flier Mike Bame almost ran away 2-Meter World Cup Palmdale year core hot-wire cut 2-lb/sq ft-density styrofoam prop uses Eppler 193 section fitted carbon cap spars covered carbon fiber cloth epoxy resin Light flight solar-powered flight project sponsored DuPont consider Solar Challenger suitable showcase high strength lightweight materials used constructionprimarily Keviar Nomex Mylar 47-ft span Challenger now weighs 210 lb considering pho tovoltaic cells wiring weigh 49 lb allowing electric motor instruments parachute basic airftame weighs just 125 lb Much structural design calcula tions performed Blame Rawdon pre viously Albatross crew member RC Sailplane flier Carlos Miralles aero nautical engineering student Cal Poly St Luis Obispo modeler hang glider flier main structural elements ultra-thinwalled carbon fiber tubes made spiralwinding epoxy-impregnated fibers around aluminum tube former large diameter tubes used wing spar fuselage boom wrapped 144n Nomex honeycomb given outer wrap Keviar cloth Finally aluminum former dis solved acid produce very lightweight tube immensely strong com pleted wing 257 sq ft example weighed just 55 lb yet supported almost half-ton sandbags during static struc tural test majority remaining structure filled llghtweight expanded polysty rene shaped hollowed electric hot wire carved sanded shape entire aircraft covered 0005-in transparent Mylar stuck down double-stick transfer tape no backingadhes ive shrunk drum-tight using heat gun Solar Challenger completed near end 1980 after little over four months work team sixled Project Manager Ray Morgan leave ab sence Lockheed First flights performed Shafter Airfield near Bakersfield using rechargeable Ni-Cad batterieswhich al lowed flights made throughout day regardless sun condition November 13 Janice Brown set what believed World Record electric flight 1 hour 32 minutes flight reached 1600 ft altitude 39 lb batteries removed solar cells fitted readiness first solar-powered lift-off El Mirage Soar ing Center November 20 Challenger took off 2 mm 50 sec flight got up 60-ft height quite remarkable being late year winter worst time year fly because sun low horizon reduc ing available power horizontal cells However further test flights made Marana Air Park December January pushed flight times up During flight some 50 miles landed Picacho Peak 12 miles away flight time 1 hour 55 min utes Another altitude flight over Marana reached 3500 feet Channel Challenge Since early flights solar plane has prepared its 1981 goala 200-mile-plus flight Paris Lon don scheduled mid-June 1981 Editor Just copy being typeset July 7 received word Solar Challenger made its flight across channel flying 1200 feet landing Manston Airport 1051 m Eastern time Poor weather prevented earlier attempts window just about gone Exciting news Further test flights back Shafter May produced new records 8 hours 19 minutes pilot Steve Ptacek altitude 14300 feet Janice Brown Solar Challenger crew definitely ready capable making such flight depends weather success ful lift-off will have early possible morning 8 9 am long climbing flight headed north over France peak out after midday 12000-15000 ft over English Channel before descent average airspeed 25-30 mph cross coun try will take grueling eight hours depending upon wind Aeronautical history has required new ideas put test attempting such chal lenging flights gain public recognition Solar Challenger follows tradition publicity projects helps bring Age Solar Power little nearer will have helped fulfill its intended purpose 1 38 Model Aviation SPECIFICATIONS Walttro Pomp Comb 3 Ring Piston Grumman Widgeon $25000 PBY-5 Catalina$40000

NO OCR TEXT NO OCR TEXT leader team talented energetic young designers family friends helped him turn Gossamer concept elegant form An outrageous optimist months after Bryan Allen pilot pedaled way history books winning Kremer prize Gossamer Condor August 1977 MacCready calmly announced new design Gossamer Albatross would Dr MacCready adds sandbag wing during Static load testing Simi Valley workshop fly English Channel moment somehow too seemed inevitable June 12 1979 Bryan flew 22 miles Eng land France 2 hours 50 minutes win second Kremer prize 100000 pounds sterling Solar power Paul MacCready head full ideas search prohiems solve concerned environment energyProject Manager Ray Morgan rubs down photovoltaic cells attached double-sided transfer tape Blame Rawdon straps Nomex onto wing spar tube using Tedlar tape spar seven inches diameter Challengers propulsion unit uses Astro Flight 25 electric motor driving propeller through reduction gearing pushrod linkages front Operate variable pitch propeller outerwrap epoxy-impregnated Kevlar cloth held place wing spar stretchy Tedlar tape cures Bob Boucher Astro Flight fits Astro 25 motorto Solar Challenger motor produces 7500 rpm driving variable-pitch prop 300 rpm through gear reduction systempowered entirely solar cells saving issues dedicated applica tion practical aeronautics efficiency conservation alternative energy sources currently proposed Dr MacCready believes great potential future photo voltaic solar cells wafer-thin brittle silicon crystal cells just couple square inches size produce small electric current exposed light After initial investment purchasing cells energy produced freeas long sun continues shine Admittedly price solar cells today relatively high time price ball-point pen electronic calculator time no doubt mass production will also reduce price solar cells Solar Challenger fusion current ideas future thinking aims two fold dramatically demonstrate what can achieved limited supply energy through high efficiency lightweight design promote use photovoltaic cells Solar-powered aircraft unlikely achieve widespread usage forsecable future However problems solar-powered flight difficult ap plications can overcome high lights other earth-bound uses better suited domestic use around home transportation remote locations first manned solar flight experiments performed using converted airframe Gossamer Penguin cross-channel backup plane panel 3920 photovoltaic cells mounted almost vertically face rising sun above 72-ft-span wings Following some battery-powered test flights first sustained manned solar-pow ered flight made May 18 1980 Marshall MacCready Pauls 13-year-old son pilotchosen flying skills because weighed 80 lb Later Janice Brown woman pilot weighing 95 lb made two-mile flight lasting 14 min utes modest achievements proved solar flight feasible paved way Solar Challenger 68 lb superlight Penguin marginally airworthy barely capable sustaining flight after tow launchonly calmest conditions just after dawnonly direction north south perpendicular sun-with altitude limited about 10 ft literally no higher pilot prepared fall should structure fail airborne Solar Challenger conceived much robust design comparable per formance regular light aircraft Unlike early-morning Penguin Challenger mid-day machine solar cells mounted horizontally covering available upper surface wings tail unique airfoil specially designed rear 85% upper surface perfectly flat give cells exactly same orientation conventional cambered upper surface cell would face sun different angle thereby producing varying amounts power Consultant propulsion unit Bob Boucher himself pioneer solar-powered flight Sunrise II remotely-pi loted vehicles first flew 1974 Bob also well known model fliers through company Astro Flight has done much promote electric-powered models cells used Solar Challenger con vert 13% suns light energy electricity Because cell produces tiny amount power joined gether circuit 16128 cells typically wired strings 144 series three paralleL means cell Continued page 137 Ireaeceasorto Solar Challengerwasthe Gossamer Penguin robust version powered aircraft Gossamer Albatross flew English Channel wing center panel Vertical ribs end bay take tension loads Mylar covering heat-shrunk place Carbon tiber tubes used throughout main strucxurai memours UDUS Up 10 IWO IflUIlUS diameter reinforced outerwrap Keviar largerfuselage boom wing spartubes wrapped sandwich Nomex honeycomb Kevlar handle deflection can aid maintaining com fortable high-speed stability Richard L Peny 416 Woodhill Dr Golds boro NC 27530 CL Speed/Hempel Continued page 69 formed entirely sheet aluminum material like D Speed entry have see models appreciate amount work time required build Don has exper imenting different head configurations discussed using small ID longer head dimension present 3-in head length Class fellows off usual fast pace Nick Sher Langhorne PA turning 17588mph Open Speed G D Hooke James Van Santturned 14593 mph 12539 mph respectively David Hooke turned 12547 mph capture first Junior Speed FAI Speed Sam Burke Cambridge Ont Canada member Canadian FAI Team taking first 14621 mph Ed Gifford Newfield NJ second 13315 mph Close behind Stewart Henderson Missis sauga Ont 13081 mph flight FAI Speed appears attracting fliers hope trend continues need modelers participate FAI speed Open Formula 40 record number entries total 10 Glenn Lee Batavia IL set pace 15458 mph flight 1st Close behind Carl Shaefer Glen Van Sant flights 14846mph 14712mph respectively Formula 40 fuel restriction specifies mixture 40% nitro 40% alcohol 20% oil has slowed speeds down some what Speed fliers indicated head configuration very important make engine perform low-nitro fuel Formula 40 really fun event fly engines powered F-40 models split between Supertigre X-40 K&B 65 engines Glenn Lee used K&B 65 Carl Shaefer used X-40 use glass props F-40 D Speed has really increased experience has mph advantage glass props over wood Team Race fliers tends prove using glass carbon-fiber props Open Speed rough Al Stegens Cleveland OH pushed open-faced TD up 12417 mph Close behind Nick Sher tuned pipe TD flight 12297 mph Sam Burke placed 3rd beautiful asymmetrical model flight 10723 mph Formula 21 Junior provisional event two entries Robin Shaw Clemmons NC turned 10413 mph flight 1st Sheldon Ybanez Roanoke VA turning 8786 mph 2nd have several request blank Cox cylinders chromed crankshafts information mail SASE P&G Metal Shop 301 North Yale Dr Garland TX 75042 Gene Hempel 301 N Yale Dr Garland TX 75042 Solar Challenger/Cowley Continued page 75 FEATURES INCLUDE Space battery & meter panel Transmitter compartment Room gallon fuel MASTER AIRSCREW FLIGHTBOX KIT Master Airscrew Flight Box has features larger boxes compact handy arrangement parts cut imported mahogany plywood will take stain varnish paint finishes overall size 19Y2x9Wx 12 high $3495 dealer postpaid California add 6% Sales Tax Propeller storage Gravity closed small parts storage 7/8 aluminum handle Complete instructions & fasteners WINDSOR PROPELLER CO PO Box 112 Windsor CA 95492 LEISURE WIME EXTRAGraphics ~PresentsforyourHolidayPleasure VWITH FREE CARDS Hobby_Card EACH BOX *2OCARDS &ENV/BOX II LIST PRICE $1200 BOX II *ALL CARDS 5x 7 Y * FULL COLOR Special $995 Box 11 TV EDESCRIPTI NRICE/BC NFLGRC IRC_ C 735 R/C BIPLANE SKYWRITING HAPPY HOLIDAYS_______ __ •CO IDER & SANTA CHASING FREE FLIGHT ON MOTOR BIKE $995 S R IC 7501 R/C BOAT PULLING SANTA uN WATER SKIS I 5 NT OPRTINGRCCRAROUNDCH STM R C 6 XED BOX. 0 35 MAKE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO HOW TO ORDER ~FR BOX FOR POSTAGE HANDLING AND INSURANCE LEISURE 1JIME GraphIcsNY STATE ADD 7% TAX POST OFFICE BOX 108NY CITY ADD 8% TAX STATEN ISLAND NEW YORK 10306 No Cash Stamps Please_ RIC Free-Flight Assist Friendly Giant SUPER BUCCANEERpian Set se Win span 5 En inc. Original design dates1937$1795 wgt i s wlo radio 25 chef/C #RCFF1 Prices Complete Plans Sub Assembly Detailed Parts Lists Add $200 tor Mailing Tube Send Brochure Details new designs & great thin9s come Send $100 refundable information 4 .u ru r 4in I2 r October1981 137 damaged shaded does pro duce its share power can degrade power entire string accounts part configuration Challenger KIORITZ ENUINES BY GIBBS HOBBY & R Original Developer Factory Trained Authorized Master Service Dealer Carb Needles &Throttle Accessible _______________Engine Running Year Limited nty Pro-Drilled Props AvaiL Ask About Custom-Built KIORITZ Fngines Deep Fins Optimum Cooling 21/4 Flywheel Small Magneto 1 5/8 Six Bolt Aluminum Hub 242 cc 397cc 3llP 018000 tROt Weight 6 15 Don Godfrey [~722276j Points Sealed Rear Housing $19995 pay ship pro-paid orders Mufflers Now Available DEALERS WELCOME Roll Snoongo Crock Caged Rollers Rod Piston Pin GIBBS HOBBY & RESEARCH 6195 Hillfield St NW N CANTON OHIO 44720 Phone 21 6 499-8854 after 600 PM See Dealer Mr Gs Products & Supply 1010 Gratiot Marysville Ml 48040 designed no shade fin pro peller will ever fall across solar array Sim ilarly no kingpost wire bracing could used Gossamer planes Because power input sun varies continuously flight due orientation intensity variable-pitch propeller used match load electric motor available power propeller work GET ORGANI7FflI s net 4 Sturdy tiles 4 yeaS 500110001CC 5o 4 MAG FILES $4 Send $495 plus SI 00 pusiage harraheg 0GM INOIJSTRIES PO Box 388-K DOVER NH 03820 RC Sailplane flier Mike Bame almost ran away 2-Meter World Cup Palmdale year core hot-wire cut 2-lb/sq ft-density styrofoam prop uses Eppler 193 section fitted carbon cap spars covered carbon fiber cloth epoxy resin Light flight solar-powered flight project sponsored DuPont consider Solar Challenger suitable showcase high strength lightweight materials used constructionprimarily Keviar Nomex Mylar 47-ft span Challenger now weighs 210 lb considering pho tovoltaic cells wiring weigh 49 lb allowing electric motor instruments parachute basic airftame weighs just 125 lb Much structural design calcula tions performed Blame Rawdon pre viously Albatross crew member RC Sailplane flier Carlos Miralles aero nautical engineering student Cal Poly St Luis Obispo modeler hang glider flier main structural elements ultra-thinwalled carbon fiber tubes made spiralwinding epoxy-impregnated fibers around aluminum tube former large diameter tubes used wing spar fuselage boom wrapped 144n Nomex honeycomb given outer wrap Keviar cloth Finally aluminum former dis solved acid produce very lightweight tube immensely strong com pleted wing 257 sq ft example weighed just 55 lb yet supported almost half-ton sandbags during static struc tural test majority remaining structure filled llghtweight expanded polysty rene shaped hollowed electric hot wire carved sanded shape entire aircraft covered 0005-in transparent Mylar stuck down double-stick transfer tape no backingadhes ive shrunk drum-tight using heat gun Solar Challenger completed near end 1980 after little over four months work team sixled Project Manager Ray Morgan leave ab sence Lockheed First flights performed Shafter Airfield near Bakersfield using rechargeable Ni-Cad batterieswhich al lowed flights made throughout day regardless sun condition November 13 Janice Brown set what believed World Record electric flight 1 hour 32 minutes flight reached 1600 ft altitude 39 lb batteries removed solar cells fitted readiness first solar-powered lift-off El Mirage Soar ing Center November 20 Challenger took off 2 mm 50 sec flight got up 60-ft height quite remarkable being late year winter worst time year fly because sun low horizon reduc ing available power horizontal cells However further test flights made Marana Air Park December January pushed flight times up During flight some 50 miles landed Picacho Peak 12 miles away flight time 1 hour 55 min utes Another altitude flight over Marana reached 3500 feet Channel Challenge Since early flights solar plane has prepared its 1981 goala 200-mile-plus flight Paris Lon don scheduled mid-June 1981 Editor Just copy being typeset July 7 received word Solar Challenger made its flight across channel flying 1200 feet landing Manston Airport 1051 m Eastern time Poor weather prevented earlier attempts window just about gone Exciting news Further test flights back Shafter May produced new records 8 hours 19 minutes pilot Steve Ptacek altitude 14300 feet Janice Brown Solar Challenger crew definitely ready capable making such flight depends weather success ful lift-off will have early possible morning 8 9 am long climbing flight headed north over France peak out after midday 12000-15000 ft over English Channel before descent average airspeed 25-30 mph cross coun try will take grueling eight hours depending upon wind Aeronautical history has required new ideas put test attempting such chal lenging flights gain public recognition Solar Challenger follows tradition publicity projects helps bring Age Solar Power little nearer will have helped fulfill its intended purpose 1 38 Model Aviation SPECIFICATIONS Walttro Pomp Comb 3 Ring Piston Grumman Widgeon $25000 PBY-5 Catalina$40000