The Solar Boat Twente student team traveled to the Ketelmeer on Monday, March 27, where they went for three days to test the flying boat on rougher water. Normally, the team tests on the Twente Canal, where the boat is capable of stable flight. One important element that cannot be properly tested here is flying on waves. The team therefore put it to the test by exposing the boat to the rough water of the Ketelmeer.
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On the first day, the structural integrity of the boat was tested. Here the main focus was on the seaworthiness of the boat and its ability to sail in rougher water. The second day focused on flying. Here the focus was on what settings are optimal for anticipating waves and flying in turns. On the third day, a race simulation was conducted. During a race, the command center, consisting of four team members, controls the strategy of the race and communicates it to the pilot. During this race simulation, the main goal was to train the command center by mapping their current cooperation and identifying pitfalls in this.
Outcomes
The first day mainly showed the team that the boat’s components could handle rougher water. Despite the strong gusts of wind, the boat managed to sail and briefly fly. The second day provided the team with very useful information, which resulted in them now being able to fly for a longer period of time without experiencing any problems. The third day has mainly led to the command center being better able to plan out a strategy for a race and switch around if unexpected things happen. It also clarified how best to communicate with the pilot. In addition to these outcomes, the team also collected a lot of data, which they can now use to continue working toward an optimized control system.
Future
After these three days of testing, the team will resume preparations for the first race, the National Solar Boat Race Championship in Akkrum. This race will take place during the Ascension weekend. To maximize the chances of winning the Dutch title, the team’s main goal now is to optimize the control system for foiling in turns. The data collected during the test days will contribute greatly to this. The team will also focus on presenting the boat to a larger audience on April 18 at the Wilminktheater. The boat will be officially unveiled and the solar boat will receive a name.
