The Debut of Solar Impulse a Solar Powered Plane!

"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

The Beech Called "Beach" - An Aviation Story

Being pilots and sometime aviation buffs, interesting facts grab our attention from time to time.  Being the proud papas of a Beechcraft Bonanza B36TC, anything ‘Beechcraft’ or Bonanza is of particular interest.  When we started looking for the ‘step up’ plane shortly after we closed the deal on our first plane, a trusty Piper Archer, 11 years ago…we identified the Bonanza as a real candidate for the next plane. Moving up is all a part of the aviation lifestyle.

Long story short, we felt that the Beechcraft Bonanza, the longest most successful production plane in aviation history, was the right one for us.  Its sleek design, high speed performance, reliability, and payload all spoke to our needs for a flying SUV.  How many times have we stuffed lamps and furniture in the backseats, brought a whole dinner party of utensils and food from one location to another….really utilitarian.

One interesting fact is that early in the production of this airplane, that began in 1947, a test pilot refitted a Bonanza and flew it non-stop from Honolulu to the West Coast of California.  Proving its long range characteristics and sturdy construction.  Aptly named ‘Waikiki Beach’’   William Odom flew the original V tail Bonanza in the first record setting light aircraft flight from Hawaii to the mainland.  With out penchant for period Hawaiian architecture and style (link to homes), this is of particular interest. 

A second record setting flight from Honolulu to Teterboro, New Jersey was flown by the ‘Waikiki Beach’ two months after the first transpacific flight.  The ‘Waikiki Beach’ now lives at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C., a well earned tribute to a remarkable aircraft and one that is near and dear to us personally….