
Originally published on 1Sun4All.
The pilots of Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) have been diligently testing the solar-powered aircraft for the 2015 round-the-world flight. This first in aviation history will take the pilots, the crew and the entire Si2 team around the world: crossing oceans and continents.
Si2 first took to the skies in June, soaring across Switzerland and getting its first view of the Alps. The aircraft has now flown 21 times; with pilots seeking out the sun wherever possible at 8,500m. Co-Founders & Pilots André Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard are both confident in the capability of the aircraft and themselves, to pilot Si2 for the First Round-The-World Solar Flight, according to the Solar Impulse team.
Enjoy the first video fully shot with GoPro. Best seen in Full-Screen! | Solar Impulse 2 Airplane Exclusive Shots Credit: SOLAR IMPULSE
100 days from now, Solar Impulse will take off from Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates and Host City of Solar Impulse for this pioneering journey. Between now and then, Si2 will be dismantled, packed into a cargo plane and reassembled in Abu-Dhabi.
The Around-the-World Mission Flights will take place over 5 months from the beginning of March to the end of July 2015. Solar Impulse is currently in the process of confirming the steps from Abu Dhabi, which will include stops in Asia, the United States and in Southern Europe and North Africa before returning to Abu Dhabi in July 2015.
Solar Impulse: 18th Test Flight | © Solar Impulse | Rezo.ch
You may want more information about the project, check out Solar Impulse
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