Solar Impulse 2

Take-off from Abu Dhabi (Photo: Solar Impulse)

Aircraft

Solar Impulse 2 begins historic round-the-world, sun-powered flight

Twelve years in the making, Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg began piloting their experimental Solar Impulse 2 plane at 7:12 a.m. Abu Dhabi local time, bound for Muscat, Oman, on the first leg in a journey that will require 25 days in the air spread over a period of roughly 5 months.

Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg announcing the route for Si2's historic around-the-world flight

Aircraft

Solar Impulse 2 round-the-world route revealed

The route planned for Solar Impulse 2 round-the-world flight has been unveiled. The first solar-powered plane capable of day and night flight, the Si2 will spend 25 days aloft spread over a period of five months as it traverses 35,000 km (22,000 mi) with stops at 12 locations around the globe.

The Solar Impulse 2 made its first flight on Monday

Aircraft

Solar Impulse 2 makes first flight

The maiden flight of Solar Impulse 2 took place on Monday morning at Payerne aerodrome in Switzerland. The solar-powered aircraft took off at 5:36 AM CET, when the weather around the aerodrome was at its calmest, with pilot Markus Scherdel at the controls.

Solar Impulse 2 makes its public debut in Payerne, Switzerland

Aircraft

Solar Impulse 2 spreads its wings for the public

Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg unveiled the Solar Impulse 2 on Wednesday. The result of 12 years work, the ultra-light, solar-powered airplane will attempt next year to fly around the world relying exclusively on solar power to keep it aloft for days at a time.