Solar Power Challenge                                Author Kieron McGeever             Last update: 21/11/2007 21:11:21

Plane Regulations

 

1. The maximum length of the aircraft shall not exceed 550mm

2. There is no maximum width for the aircraft; the wing span will be denoted by the loading placed on it.

3. The aircraft will not be controlled by any wires or strings and must be capable of free flight after being launched.

4. Only the solar cells can be used to power the aircraft. No batteries are allowed but super capacitors may be used to store energy so that the solar cells can be left on the ground during flight to save weight.

5. The power used to launch the aircraft must be manual

6. Only one motor can be used and a maximum of three solar cells are allowed per craft.

7. Only one propeller is allowed per craft but no limit is put on the size.

8. No commercially produced aircraft are allowed and all craft must be constructed by the contestants who enter them.

9. The solar cells and motors must be fitted to the craft in such away as not to be a danger to the operator or other contestants.

10. All competitions will be run under similar conditions.

11. The winner of the competition will be the craft deemed by the judges to have covered the furthest distance in the time allowed. In the event of a tie it will be the craft that has stayed in the air for the longest time

12. In the event of any dispute the decision of the senior judge is final and the decision will be based on fairness and the guiding principles of friendly competition.