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After the success of the Gossamer Penguin proved solar powered flight was possible, AeroVironment bagan construction of a new more practical airplane, the Solar Challenger.
It had only a 46.5-foot wingspan, but it had a huge horizontal stabilizer and 16,128 solar cells. The Solar Challenger flew across the English channel, from near Paris to near Dover England on July 7, 1981, a distance of 163 miles. |
Photos by Don Monroe. See all his pictures on his website ![]() ![]() |
Solar Challenger set an altitude record of 14,300 feet.
AeroVironment has continued to develope solar powered aircraft with Pathfinder, and Pathfinder-Plus, Centurion, Centelios and Helios. AeroVironment is now located in Monrovia, California. |
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