 The Solar Impulse HB-SIA, with André Borschberg at
its controls, successfully landed July 8th at 09:00, to the cheers of a
crowd of supporters who came to celebrate this great milestone.
-
For more than 26 hours, André Borschberg
expertly piloted the aircraft with its 64 meter wingspan. The plane was
up in the air yesterday for the whole day, then through the entire
night, flying solely on solar energy. This flight is the longest and
highest in the history of solar aviation!
"I've been a pilot for 40 years now, but this flight has
been the most incredible one of my flying career. Just sitting there and
watching the battery charge level rise and rise thanks to the sun… And
then that suspense, not knowing whether we were going to manage to stay
up in the air the whole night. And finally the joy of seeing the sun
rise and feeling the energy beginning to circulate in the solar panels
again!”
These were the
emotional words of André Borschberg, CEO and co-founder of the Solar
Impulse project, spoken on leaving the cockpit. “I have just flown more
than 26 hours without using a drop of fuel and without causing any
pollution!”
“Bravo André! You have just proved that what I have been
dreaming about for the last 11 years, is possible", cried out Bertrand
Piccard, initiator and President of the project, the moment the Solar
Impulse HB-SIA touched down. He went on to say that “This is a crucial
step forward, it gives full credibility to the speeches we hold since
years about renewable energies and CleanTechs and allows us now to get
closer to the perpetual flight without using a drop of fuel!” He then
ran over to hug his partner, both men full of tears.
“Such success would not have been possible without all the
hard work put in by an exceptional team", said Claude Nicollier, head of
the Solar Impulse test flight programme.
“The success
also belongs to Solvay, Omega, the Deutsche Bank and all our partners
without whom this demonstration of the potential of renewable energy and
new technologies would not have been possible", added the two Solar
Impulse founders in chorus.
 Flight reportPilot: André Borschberg, CEO and Co-founderTake-off time: 07/07/2010
- 06h51Landing
time: 08/07/2010 - 09:00Flight duration: 26 hours 09 minMaximum speed: 68 knots
(ground speed)Average
speed: 23 knots Maximum altitude: 8564 m (above sea-level)The success of this first night flight by a solar-powered
plane is crucial for the further course of the Solar Impulse project.
Now that the HB-SIA’s ability to remain flying at night using solar
energy stored during the day has been proved, we can start pushing the
human and technological limits further. The next important milestones
for Solar Impulse will be the crossing the Atlantic and the around the
world flight, using the second prototype which goes into construction
this summer.www.solarimpulse.comFor more CE News,
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The Solar Impulse HB-SIA, with André Borschberg at
its controls, successfully landed July 8th at 09:00, to the cheers of a
crowd of supporters who came to celebrate this great milestone.
