10USD NAV Light AWECS

On April 19, 2011, a mysterious red light appeared high in the Texas sky. It was the latest Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) science toy, assembled & flown by a kid. The wind generator used was a popular science kit selling for under 8USD & the pilot-lifter kite was a 3USD toy delta. Total assembly took about 20 minutes & the kite then easily lifted the generator in about an 8 kt breeze, flying at a ~45 degree angle. It would have taken a bit more wind to lift an added conductive cable, but that's the obvious next step. If nothing else. this is clearly an effective milliwatt-class AWECS for educational purposes.
http://www.energykitesystems.net/KiteLab/index.html

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• FEG
• FEGs
• flying electric generator
• kite
• kite energy
• kiting
• nav marker
• navigation light
• AWE
• AWECS
• energy kite systems
• wind turbine
• kite motor
• nav light
• kited turbine