Solar Riser, first solar
powered aircraft makes first flight in 1979, Light Sport Aircraft Pilot News
newsmagazine.
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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!
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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. |
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Solar Riser Specifications |
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Length |
8 ft. |
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Wing Chord
(constant) |
3 ft. 5 in. |
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Wing Span |
30 ft. |
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Empty Weight |
125 lbs. |
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Maximum Take Off
Weight |
290 lbs. |
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Maximum Level
Speed |
20 mph |
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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/ |
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Larry Mauro standing
in front of his EZ Riser ultralight design which the
Solar Riser was based on. |
 The Solar Riser mans
first solar powered aircraft. |
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