1. Solar Challenger Cpl. Novotný

3. Designed by Paul MacCready Powered entirely by photovoltaic cells 1981 completed 262 km flight from Pontoise to Manston Piloted by Stephen Ptacek (55kg)

5. Trip took 5hr 23min Cruising altitude of 3,350m Average speed 48km/h Carrying 16,128 solar cells It yields max. solar power of 3,800 W

7. General characteristics Crew: One Length: 8,8m Wingspan: 14,3m Empty weight: 90kg Gross weight: 159kg Powerplant: 2x solar powered electric motors, 3 hp (2,2kW) each

8. Performance Max. speed: 64 km/h Range: 645 km Endurance: 11 h Service ceiling: 4,360 m G limits: +6, -3 Rate of climb: 0,765 m/s

9. Armament None

11. Blazing News Currently the plane is owned by Smithsonian Institution’s Air and Space Museum The new plane, Solara can be aloft for up to five years (20 km - Stratosphere) The new project Odysseus, plane for surveillance and communication, Z shaped, in air can stay for up to half a decade

13. Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAw6RFIVR Uohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAw6RFIVR Uo (11:10) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwOiIyp9YW 4#t=79http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwOiIyp9YW 4#t=79 (Solara) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If8MODnvjh w#t=173

14. Sources http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/ 481877/Stephen-Ptacek http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/ 481877/Stephen-Ptacek http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Challenger http://breakingdefense.com/2013/08/worlds- loneliest-airplane-five-years-aloft-at-65k-feet/ http://breakingdefense.com/2013/08/worlds- loneliest-airplane-five-years-aloft-at-65k-feet/ http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation- amp-space/article/2009-06/forever-plane http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation- amp-space/article/2009-06/forever-plane

15. The End Have you noticed that half a decade is the same amount of time as five years ? !