Unmanned flight originating in the US sets unofficial record for flight time
The British-made Zephyr aircraft has set an unofficial record for an unmanned flight. The plane, which utilises solar panels and a series of batteries that can be charged during flight for night hours, stayed aloft for a total of 82 hours and 37 minutes.
The craft nearly doubled the last record for an unmanned flight while testing was being conducted on its ability to relay radio messages.
The craft is remotely controlled and partly able to control itself. The plane’s designers feel that it could remain in flight for a much longer duration, predicting a time when planes remain in flight for several weeks at a time.
The Zephyr is a high-tech wonder, weighing around thirty kilograms and is launched by hand. This is achieved by three men running along with it in order to build up airspeed until the battery and solar system takes over.
Its carbon fibre construction is overlaid with a solar array which has less thickness than paper. So far, the Zephyr has taken 20 million pounds in funds to develop.
Brett Venter
