Airplane Powered By Solar Energy, Biofuel

When someone says "Triplane" ... something from Fokker in the early part of the last century comes immediately to mind. But the three-wing configuration has been resurrected for an airplane that may someday fly on solar power and biofuel.

Of course, any development project requires money, and FaradAir has turned to the popular crowdfunding site Kickstarter to raise money to develop the plane it calls BEHA, or Bio Electric Hybrid Aircraft.

The company says the triplane design gives the airplane enough wing area to carry enough solar panels to generate electricity from the sun, as well as enough lift to allow the airplane to operate from most airports, which was not always possible with solar-powered aircraft that often have enormous wingspans. It also uses wind turbines to generate electricity both on the ground and in flight.

The airplane is expected to cost north of $1 million, should it ever enter production. The Kickstarter campaign has an initial goal of  £20,000, or about $45,000.

(Image provided by FaradAir)

FMI: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/509430931/faradair-new-eco-aircraft-called-beha?ref=discovery