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Helios
Summary
Helios was designed and built in 1997 by a team of Aerospace, Mechanical, and Electrical engineering students at OSU as a project for MAE 4374 Aerospace Systems Design. The design goal was to build an aircraft entirely powered by the sun, that could set an FAI Speed record for airplanes in its class. No storage batteries were allowed. The aircraft is a twin-boom inverted "V" design, with the solar cells contained within a transparent film skin. The aircraft flew successfully, however the record was never attempted due to a supplier problem with the solar cells.
The Airplane The Team Multimedia Sponsors
Specifications
Wing
Wingspan: 108 in (9 ft)
Wing Area: 1890 sq. in (13.12 sq ft)
Airfoil: MH 20
Aspect Ratio: 6.17
Dihedral: 5 deg
Fuselage
Length: 23.75 in (1.98 ft)
Propulsion
Motor: Astro Cobalt-035 geared
Speed Controller: Astro 204D
Approximately 12 sq. ft. of solar cell array
Approximately 110 Watts of power from the solar cells at optimal sun
Maximum Thrust: Approx. 1 lb
Weights
Structural Weight: 2 lb 11 oz
Electronics Weight: 1 lb 3 oz
Solar Cell Weight: 4 lb (see *)
Gross Weight: 7 lb 14 oz
Special Features:
No ailerons. This reduced weight and added solar surface area. Turning was accomplished through dihedral/rudder
Twin Boom, inverted "V" tail
* the 4 lb weight of the solar cells was almost a factor of 4 larger than that specified by the manufacturer due to a new "scrim" material on the cells. The cell weight was the reason the record attempt was not made.
The Helios Team (Team Black) was lead by a chief engineer, and was divided into 4 technical groups: Aerodynamics/Stability and Control, Propulsion, Structures, and Systems.
Chief Engineer: Valerie Gordon
Aerodynamics / Stability and Control
Colin Hildinger (Lead)
Propulsion
Richard Operhall (Lead)
Chang Kuo Wei
Khoay Chuah Ng
Structures
Steve Cole (Lead)
Ronald Burgess
Tham Weng Choun
Chua Peng Sin
Pang Yong Shing
Kim Han Lee
Systems and Instrumentation
Reed Jackson (Lead)
Jess Brown
Johnny Homer
Voo-Hahh Foo
Thien Trong
Pilots
Dan Bierly
Paul Reinman
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Andrew S. Arena, Jr.
Team Logo:
Team Mascot: Helios the sun god from Greek mythology
Memorable Quotes
"Flying with the power of the Sun-God"
Team Video
The music video introduces the team, and highlights the development and testing of the aircraft. It is recommended that you right click on the link and use "Save Target as..." to download the video to your computer before playing.
Full size version (640x480) 89MB
Pictures
(Hover cursor over any thumbnail on this page for a description)
Construction
Flight Test
Final Plane
Final Written Report
Solar Cell Experimental
Data Appendix
1997 Helios Sponsors
The following sponsors contributed to the project. The Helios team greatly appreciates their support, and considers them members of our team. Without their support, the project would not have been possible.
Aerovironment