Solar-Powered Airplanes Headed To Tulsa's Spartan College

Tulsa's Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology has signed an agreement with Aero Electric Aircraft for delivery of 20 solar-powered training airplanes.

The college says the all-electric two seater airplanes are more cost effective that their current fleet of Cessna 172 aircraft. The Cessnas cost $73 a hour to operate compared to $10 an hour for the Sun Flyer.

“This agreement signifies our commitment to innovation and to serving the next generation of pilots. Spartan College is honored to be the first training school to formalize our collaboration on a complete training system that will make flight training more modern, accessible and economical than ever before,” said Spartan CEO Peter Harris.

The Sun Flyer developed in collaboration with PC Aero, based in Germany, and Bye Aviation of Denver, Colorado will be delivered to Spartan College later this year. The school is also working with Aero to develop a training system for the Sun Flyer.

Company officials say the training two-seater airplane will be the first delivered to a flight school in the U.S.