Solar Riser, first solar powered aircraft makes first flight in 1979, Light Sport Aircraft Pilot News newsmagazine.

 


Light Sport Aircraft Pilot is a directory of aircraft that generally fit into what are described as ultralight aircraft, advanced ultralight aircraft, light sport aircraft, experimental light sport aircraft, experimental aircraft, amateur built aircraft, ELSA or homebuilt aircraft in the United States and Canada. These include weight shift aircraft, more commonly known as trikes, powered parachutes, and powered para-gliders.

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Solar powered ultralight aircraft makes first flight - in 1979!

While making the rounds at Airventure I came across something that looked familiar tucked away in the "electric aircraft display building."

On first inspection it looked like an old Easy Riser, but a closer look revealed it was actually the Solar Riser a solar powered ultralight aircraft designed and built by EZ Riser designer Larry Mauro.

In 1979 the Solar Riser is credited with being the world's first solar powered, flying machine to take a human aloft.

The flight travelled nearly half a mile and reached a height of approximately 40 feet.

 
Solar Riser Specifications
Length 8 ft.
Wing Chord (constant) 3 ft. 5 in.
Wing Span 30 ft.
Empty Weight 125 lbs.
Maximum Take Off Weight 290 lbs.
Maximum Level Speed 20 mph
Take Off Run 75-200 ft.

The Solar Riser was a basic EZ Riser equipped with landing gear with a number of photovoltaic cells located in the top wing.

These cells were capable of producing "350 watts of 30 volt energy" which was enough to charge the battery supplying power to the three HP electric motor.

This meant the pilot could power his craft for up to 5 minutes between charges.  It was enough that a pilot could use the engine to take off, catch a thermal, shut the engine off.

Then thermal around, while the photovoltaic cells were recharging the battery, and then when he kicked out of the thermal he could power up again to find another thermal.

Larry donated the Solar Riser to the EAA Airventure Museum in 1979.
For more information visit:
http://www.pioneerflyer.com/

 

Larry Mauro designer and manufacturer of the Solar Riser.
Larry Mauro standing in front of his EZ Riser ultralight design which the Solar Riser was based on.

Solar Riser, first solar powered aircraft makes first flight in 1979, Light Sport Aircraft Pilot News newsmagazine.

The Solar Riser mans first solar powered aircraft.

 
 
 

 

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