Solar Impulse 72 Hour Transatlantic Flight Simulation (VIDEO )

Originally published on 1Sun4All.

For 72 hours, non-stop (that’s 3 days and 3 nights), between 17 and 20 December 2013, Bertrand Piccard will stay at the controls of the flight simulator, a near-exact reconstruction of HB-SIB’s cockpit, reports Solar Impulse. The goal of the experience is to make the pilot as “sustainable” as the aircraft in preparation for the first round-the-world solar flight in 2015. André Borschberg successfully completed a first 72H flight simulation in 2012. It’s now Bertrand Piccard’s turn to take up the challenge. The following is an official Solar Impulse news release:

 72h Transatlantic Flight Simulation

From 17th to 20th December 2013, Bertrand Piccard will remain for 72 hours non-stop at the controls of a flight simulator, in a quasi-exact reconstruction of the cockpit of HB-SIB.

An extreme human challenge:

How to live in a cockpit of 160 cu ft. (9ft x 5ft x 3ft)? How to eat, make natural needs, and avoid immobility disorders? How to stay focus during the entire flight and manage a successful landing after several days? What resting strategy to adopt?

Bertrand Piccard will use self-hypnosis to meet the challenge and stay alert and control his fatigue. Everybody will be able to ask him questions about hypnosis on social networks and he will answer live from the cockpit on Wednesday, December 18 at 6:30 pm CET on www.solarimpulse.com

Bertrand Piccard:

The pioneer is not always the one who succeeds, but rather the one who is not scared of failing.

 André Borschberg during the last settings before beginning the flight simulation, February 2012, 72 hours Simulation Flight | © Solar Impulse | Ackermann | Rezo.ch

Will He Make It?

There is not a lot of scientific or medical experience in the field of long duration flights, especially in a single-seater airplane that almost requires continuous steering. The goal is to collect the maximum of information and learnings from the 72H simulation and define the best strategies for the round-the-world flight.

• Self-hypnosis — Dr. Bernhard Trenkle, Dr. Eric Bonvin
• Medical follow-up — Clinique Hirslanden
• Performance monitoring – EPFL
• Pilot seat —  Lantal
• Nutrition – Nestlé Health Science

Follow the simulation on www.solarimpulse.com and on Twitter @solarimpulse.