Solar Impulse In Midst Of Setting Another Solar Airplane Record

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Solar Impulse, piloted by André Borschberg, took off today, Wednesday May 22nd, at 4:45AM MST (UTC-7) from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to fly to Texas. Landing is scheduled sometime after 01:00AM CDT (UTC-5) at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Thursday May 23rd. Should there be any last minute changes, please consult Solar Impulse’s Dallas page on the Solar Impulse website.

Solar Impulse will be soaring in the early morning skies of Phoenix, Arizona on Wednesday May 22, on the second leg of the team’s Across America mission. We can watch the pre-flight preparations; the entire flight; and the landing live, via Solar Impulse TV. This is record-breaking flying. With a total distance of about 868 miles (1396.8 km), André is attempting to break his own solar aviation achievement that he set when he flew from Payerne, Switzerland to Madrid, Spain. More details are shown below.

solar impulse AcrossAmerica GoldenGateFlight Revillard-72 (1)_thumbPSflat
AcrossAmerica_6th Test Flight from Moffett Field_Solar Impulse flies around the San Francisco Bay area_2013.04.23 Image Credit: © Solar Impulse | Revillard | Rezo.ch

The flight from Arizona to Texas via New Mexico will provide André with some spectacular desert landscapes as he flies over Roswell (NM), where Felix Baumgartner completed the famous Red Bull Stratos jump from the stratosphere, towards Hobbs (NM), and then, on his approach to Dallas, above Abilene (TX). The third leg of the Across America mission, connecting Dallas to St. Louis, will be flown by Bertrand.

If you would like to see the plane in flight, go to the butte on Arizona State University’s campus (in front of the Packard Drive bus stop at 6th street and Rio Salado Pkwy) – the plane will be visible with the naked eye.

Don’t forget that Solar Impulse always films the entire mission flights live. Just go directly to Solar Impulse TV and see the pilots (one from the cockpit and the other from the ground), see interviews with the people that make it happen, and watch footage from past events and flights. Also on the live page, and during all flights, there’s a moving map and virtual cockpit allowing you to feel what it’s like to be in the plane.

During the Dallas stopover, the Solar Impulse team will organize an Open House on Friday, May 24th, from 1PM to 7PM. Sign up here if you want to see the plane with your own eyes! Changes might occur, so if you live in the Dallas area, stay tuned via the homepage or sign up to become a Supporter and get priority information about flights, events and more!

As part of Solar Impulse’s Clean Generation initiative, meant to inspire politicians, businesspeople, and others to invest in clean technologies, the first flag displaying the initiative’s slogan and the destination city’s name (Phoenix) was handed to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer as a token of appreciation for her State’s hospitality. A new custom-designed flag will be carried in the cockpit from Phoenix to Dallas together with a USB key. The key virtually carries the names of Solar Impulse supporters across the United States. If you would like your friends or family to be part of this pioneering adventure and cross the country with us, tell them to sign up today and become a friend of the project.

PS.  You can also follow AndréBertrand, or Solar Impulse directly on their Twitter pages.

–Solar Impulse Team

Author Note: It is inspiring to follow this airplane’s journey. I will be watching the pre-flight, the flight, and the landing. It makes a long day for me. It must be incredible for the pilots and the Solar Impulse team as they change aviation history with these flights. If you sign up as a supporter (it’s free), your name is carried with the pilots on each flight.


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Amber Archangel

-- I am an artist, painter, writer, interior designer, graphic designer, and constant student of many studies. Living with respect for the environment close at hand, the food chain, natural remedies for healing the earth, people and animals is a life-long expression and commitment. As half of a home-building team, I helped design and build harmonious, sustainable and net-zero homes that incorporate clean air systems, passive and active solar energy as well as rainwater collection systems. Private aviation stirs a special appeal, I would love to fly in the solar airplane and install a wind turbine in my yard. I am a peace-loving, courageous soul, and I am passionate about contributing to the clean energy revolution. I formerly designed and managed a clean energy website, 1Sun4All.com.

Amber Archangel has 195 posts and counting. See all posts by Amber Archangel