Energy efficient Aircraft

Question

We've had pedal power and solar power. This won't do us any good commercially but what is the future for low altitude surveillance platforms?

Answer 1

Low Altitude Surveillance platforms are beginning to shy away from using conventional combustion engines, in favor of converting solar power to AC, and to DC for the purpose of batteries. There has been limited aerial experimentation with UAV's flying for 65 hours, simply using batteries, solar power, and electric DC motors. These are few and far between, but the notion is fast becoming a reality. Boeing and Lockheed are currently designing a Solar to AC system, in conjuction with DC power.

Answer 2

chek out

http://airlinepilotdomain.blogspot.com/2...

Answer 3

Well, for a broad question.... If the point is surveillance, small blimps filled with helium would be able to stay in the air almost forever...

"Efficiency" and "flight" aren't words that go together very easily.

Answer 4

there is a solar powered UAV in development for the USAF. I think it is a mod of a civilian experimental solar power UAV. (primary power supply is a battery however)

diesel might also be used. biofuels also when we actually run out of black gold for real.

PS: they are still using helium balloons but UAVs are much harder to spot.

Answer 5

GE I think makes energy efficient engines.

Answer 6

The Gulf Stream G650 is a Private Jet that has a crew of 4 and can carry 8 passengers. It has a range of 7000nm, which is 8,000 Standard Miles. And it can travel that distance at a speed of 0.85Mach or  652 mph. That is pretty efficient in my book.  

Answer 7

Aerostats are used now.  The downside is of course, the folks one wants to surveil know they are there; UAVs are hard to see and very quiet.

The Global Observer is experimenting with H2 as fuel.  Solar power isn't practical for low-altitude as the solar array has to be quite large.

"Heavy Fuel" engines are the current avenue of research-and is looking very promising.