Flugzeug der Zukunft

Project Description: “Aircraft of the Future” – A Solar-Powered Model Aircraft

1. Introduction

Our team, consisting of three students from the 9th and 11th grades and a project mentor from the Musikbetonte Gesamtschule Paul Dessau Zeuthen, is developing an innovative solar-powered model aircraft. This project is being carried out as part of the Jugend forscht competition and was awarded a special prize for innovation at the Regional Competition Brandenburg East on February 27, 2025.

2. Project Goal

Our goal is to create a lightweight, autonomous, and energy-efficient aircraft that operates entirely on solar energy. Through this technology, we aim to demonstrate the feasibility of sustainable propulsion systems in aviation and the challenges associated with their development.

The model features a wingspan of more than 4 meters, providing a large surface area for integrating solar cells.

3. Technical Implementation

The aircraft is based on a lightweight frame made from high-strength materials. The key technical components include:

Solar cells on the wings to generate power

Efficient electric motors for propulsion

FPV technology for real-time flight monitoring

Autonomous control system with sensors for stability and navigation

High-quality PCB components for the control electronics

CNC-machined parts for the tow release mechanism, enabling safe launches during test flights

The design is developed using CAD software to optimize aerodynamics. The project’s title image is a digital rendering and not the physical model, as the final aircraft is still under construction.

4. Challenges & Further Development

One of the biggest technical challenges is energy efficiency—the aircraft must rely solely on solar power without any external energy sources. We are also testing various lightweight materials and control systems to achieve maximum flight endurance.

The next phase of our project involves real-world flight testing and further optimizations. To successfully complete this stage, we require specific materials, components, and financial support to finalize the aircraft.

5. Support & Sponsorship Opportunities

To complete our project, we rely on support from sponsors and partners. In return, we offer the following sponsorship opportunities:

Mention in the Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg newspaper

Promotion on our Instagram channel

Placement of the sponsor’s logo on our aircraft

Acknowledgment at the Jugend forscht competition, where our project will be showcased to a wide audience

6. Conclusion

Our project, "Aircraft of the Future", represents an important step toward sustainable aviation. With your support, we can continue our research and demonstrate that environmentally friendly aviation technologies are already feasible today.

We look forward to your response and are happy to provide further details at any time.

Best regards,

Oskar Bennewitz & Team