Flying Aquila: Early lessons from the first full-scale test flight and the path ahead

This post details the first full-scale test flight of Aquila, a solar-powered aircraft designed to provide broadband internet access. It covers early lessons learned from the flight, including successful validation of takeoff procedures, aerodynamic models, battery and power performance, and autopilot functionality. The post also highlights challenges ahead, such as achieving long-duration flight and transmitting wireless signals, and mentions a structural failure experienced just before landing.