MacCready Solar Challenger

The Solar Challenger was a solar-powered electric aircraft designed by Paul MacCready's AeroVironment. The aircraft was designed as an improvement on the Gossamer Penguin, which in turn was a solar-powered variant of the human-powered Gossamer Albatross. It was powered entirely by the photovoltaic cells on its wing and stabilizer, without even reserve batteries, and was the first such craft capable of long-distance flight. In 1981, it successfully completed a 163-mile (262 km) demonstration flight from France to England.

Solar Challenger
A drawing of the Solar Challenger
Role Experimental aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer AeroVironment
Designer Paul MacCready
First flight 6 November 1980
Status Museum piece
Number built 1
Developed from Gossamer Penguin
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