Arrow, the newest aircraft created by the Make to Innovate Program, Cardinal Flight, had it’s inaugural flight on Sunday morning in an airfield in Newton, IA. Arrow is a 18 ft. wingspan electric powered sailplane designed to incorporate solar panels.
The aircraft was designed and manufactured entirely by students of Cardinal Flight. With Arrow, Cardinal Flight’s goal is to create a solar assisted aircraft from traditional hobby grade and off-the-shelf component in hopes of impacting the future of small Un-manned Aerial Vehicles (sUAV).
Project leader Eli Lockwood was very pleased with the first flight. “The first flight today was amazing,” Lockwood said. “Arrow flew phenomenally; however, due to a weak point the T-tail separated during a failed on the second takeoff attempt. The tail is not a big issue and no other structure was damaged; it will give the team something more to work on next semester.”
Watch video of the flight below: