"In a world depending on fossil energies, the Solar Impulse project is a paradox, almost a provocation: it aims to have an airplane take off and fly autonomously, day and night, propelled uniquely by solar energy, right round the world without fuel or pollution. An unachievable goal without pushing back the current technological limits in all fields..." 

Everything went perfectly as the Solar Impulse made it debut in the clouds this morning after seven years of hard work and planning.  The solar-powered plane powered by 12,000 solar cells flew for 87 minutes at an altitude of over 4,000 feet. It performed test maneuvers, taking off and landing.  The Solar Impulse is made out of carbon fiber concentrate and looks like a glider with a wingspan of 60 meters and is the largest and lightest plane ever to take flight.  

Swiss psychiatrist, Bertrand Piccard (below) was the first aeronaut to do a non stop flight around the world in a balloon.  He will soon be attempting the non stop flight around the world in a solar powered plane he helped design with co-founder Andre Borschberg, fighter pilot, engineer and graduate in management science.

“This first mission was the most risky phase of the entire project,” Piccard said.  “Eighty-seven minutes of intense emotion after seven years of research, testing and perseverance. Never has an airplane as large and light ever flown before!”

Here is what test pilot Marcus Scherdel had to say about the test flight in an interview with Martin Reichlin

Markus, you just completed the very first flight with the Solar Impulse. I suspect you feel like an Olympic champion now?
Well, I never was an Olympic champions yet. But I think the feeling is quite similar.

Could you enjoy this feeling already during the flight?
The first 20 minutes I had very little time for anything else than to do my job. After that I had gained enough altitude to have a look out of the window during my first turns and to enjoy the amazing panorama of the Alps.

Speaking of looking out the window: You were piloting something like an "aeronautic convertible" today as you had no shell around the cockpit. Wasn’t it pretty cold up there?
Not at all. I was wearing my special underwear and a windproof overall. In addition to that I got shoes and gloves with built-in heating. You see, we thought of everything.

But what about insects hitting your face as you had no windshield?
There were none. It’s still too cold for flies.

Probably the most critical part of the flight was the landing. Was it difficult for you?
Actually no. At that time I had already learned a lot about the plane and knew everything about its behavior I needed to know.

And how did it behave?
So far it was very well-tempered. But I have to say that today we were flying very slow – at one point the ground speed had dropped to 12 knots per hour (22 km/h) - and we never intended test the critical parameters of the plane. This will be one of the goals in the upcoming flights.

If you feel passionate about the program, join the challenge and experience it from the inside. Become an Angel Ambassador or Adviser.

See Also: The Cool Website for Solar Impuse
See Also: EAA website