Is the concept of my flying carpet possible?

My planet is tidally locked to its sun. It has a slightly thicker atmosphere than Earth. Over the planet's sun-side surface, there would be no wind because that area is in the middle of a big cyclone/anticyclone. (I'm not sure if that works yet.)

The Aliens living there are using some sort of light glider to travel over big distances from one city to another.

The concept is very simple:

1. Two snake-like weights on each side.
2. A middlepart with some steering mechanics in the front in shape of a manta ray (not shown)
3. A thin, flexible, black plastic between the weights.

The sun shines onto the plastic. The plastic heats up the air beneath it. The air expands and carries the weight of the construction. When it flies, it looks like a straight worm that hangs in the air whilst looking at the ground in a very slight angle. It has trouble landing. That's why it doesn't. It will fly slowly past a bridge and passangers just jump onto it.

It should be able to travel over long distances without droping in altitude.

Questions

1. How exactly can I get the energy of the sun through the "carpet" into the air below?
2. How many gallons of air must there be under the carpet per pound of weight and under which circumsances (temperature and pressure of the air)?
3. What other circumstances in a world would be practical for my flying carpet to work?

I had to finish the question in a hurry and will adjust it later if wished.

posted about 6 years ago

Nihonium2‭

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