SUNSEEKER

Eric Raymond's dream of a solar powered airplane began in 1979, when Larry Mauro demonstrated his solar powered ultralight glider, named SOLAR RISER.

1981's debut of Paul MacCready's SOLAR CHALLENGER added credibility to the concept.

In 1986, Eric met Gunther Rochelt in Germany, and was introduced to his family of pedal and solar powered aircraft. An invitation to fly Gunther's racing MPA, MUSCULAIR II formed a pivotal moment in Eric's career. The revelation that a fast, streamlined aircraft could be built for incredibly low weight, if the correct materials and engineering were employed, has a profound effect on Eric.

Eric began construction of his design in late 1986. Progress was slow until 1988, when support was found in Japan. With the help of Sanyo and several other corporations the SUNSEEKER was test flown at the end on 1989 as a glider.

BARE AT DESERT CENTER 4 copy.jpg (124952 bytes)                                                                           med res wing mount copy.jpg (343189 bytes)

                glider version

 In early 1990 battery powered flights were made with two brush motors driving a variable pitch prop, which could be feathered for gliding.

 

BANKING OVER HEMET UNDER POWER2 copy.jpg (113114 bytes)KENJI copy.jpg (77495 bytes)CHANUTE02 copy.jpg (116746 bytes)FROM ABOVE01 copy.jpg (128456 bytes)

 

The motor and prop mechanism were not satisfactory, so an A.C. brushless motor and a folding prop were installed. After many long test flights, a series of flights were initiated across the country. During August of 1990, The SUNSEEKER crossed the country in 21 flights, with 121 hours in the air.

BACK