Sunseeker Solar Plane Takes First Passenger Flight

Last month, husband and wife team Eric and Irena Raymond took to the sky together behind the wheel stick of the Solar Flight Sunseeker Duo – making the Sunseeker the first solar-powered airplane to carry two people.

The Sunseeker’s accomplishment may not seem as impressive as, say, the Solar Impulse crew’s plan to circumnavigate the globe using nothing but wind currents and solar power – or, even its test flight from San Fran to Phoenix – but it’s a huge step forward in the Raymonds’ plans to bring solar-powered electric aircraft to the recreational airplane market.

Solar Flight says the Raymonds’ solar plane used energy harvested from the 1,510 solar cells on the Sunseeker Duos’ wings and tail to get off the ground. Once in the air, the solar plane can cruise/glide on just solar power – for flights of up to 12 hours. “Flying the Duo, skimming the white fluffy clouds from above and playing on the sky, I feel like a bird,” says Irena Raymond. “No limitations, a pure freedom. It’s so quiet. Compared to a normal airplane, it’s like night and day. You need very good headset in other powered airplanes, but in the Duo you can speak normally even when the motor is running full power … it’s unbelievable.”

You’ll be able to see more solar plane goodness at Osh Kosh in July. Until then, you can see more of the Sunseeker Duo at Gizmag’s photo gallery, via the link, below. Enjoy!

Source | More Photos: Gizmag.

Alt-Fuel Powered Wisconsin Smart Fleet Centered On Oshkosh

The Wisconsin Smart Fleet was formed to ID state government and private business vehicle fleets that could benefit from alt-fueled vehicles. Already the project has found 29 participants in different regions of the state, with over 10% of partners located in the city of Oshkosh.

Oshkosh, Wisconsin is home to around 66,000 people, and it can already be considered an early adopter of alternative fueled vehicles. The city already uses compressed natural gas to fuel city garbage and recycling trucks, plus Winnebago County has eight police squad cars that are fueled by propane. Given that the squad cars are propane powered, propane filling stations have been installed on major highways in the area.

The cost benefit of switching to alternatives fuels is already paying off.  In 2011 diesel and gasoline cost Oshkosh approximately $900,120. In 2013, the city spent $878,300 on gasoline, diesel, and natural gas.  The 2013 projection is expected to fall to $850,000 in 2014. These are substantial savings for a city of this size, and showcase how alt-fuels can really benefit municipalities.

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh has been a strong supporter of the Wisconsin Smart Fleet, and is already home to a growing number of alternative and flex fueled vehicles on their campus. For the University the focus is on spending less money on fuel and lowering the Universities carbon footprint. Lowing the carbon footprint makes the University stand out to environmentally minded students and applicants, and the savings on fuel overtime can be passed on to students and tax payers. It’s also a neat bragging point to bring up at alumni events.

The Wisconsin Smart Fleet project will analyze, provide guidance, and rate vehicle fleets – the less conventional fuel used the better the ranking. By 2015 program is expected be open to all business and towns/cities with fleets larger than three vehicles. The Wisconsin Smart Fleet project has the potential to be a useful template that other states and municipalities can follow as a way to save money on the ever-increasing price of fuel.

Source: Post Crescent