Originally published on 1Sun4All.
In less than 3 weeks, the First Round-The-World Solar Flight is scheduled to depart Abu Dhabi. This adventure is a way for Bertrand Piccard, President and initiator, and André Borschberg, CEO and co-founder — the 2 pilots of Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) — to demonstrate how pioneering spirit, innovation, and clean technologies can change the world.
So, you may wonder why Abu Dhabi was chosen as the place to begin and end a mission that depends on new solar-powered technology, and who the guys are who are piloting the solar powered aircraft. You can watch the latest video from the Solar Impulse team that addresses the “Why Abu Dhabi?” question, and learn more about each of the pilots. Additionally, the first video below, filmed by CleanTechnica director Zachary Shahan in Abu Dhabi in January, explains Solar Impulse’s connection to Masdar a bit. The third and fourth videos, also filmed by Zachary, are from the Masdar + Solar Impulse press event in January, and also touch on the connection a bit.
Of all the countries, in all the world, why is Solar Impulse beginning and ending its trailblazing Round-The-World in Abu Dhabi? All the answers are in the video above from Solar Impulse!
Two men, both pioneers, innovators and pilots, are the driving force behind Solar Impulse, according to Solar Impulse.
- Bertrand Piccard, a doctor, psychiatrist, explorer, and aeronaut, who made the first non-stop round-the-world balloon flight, is the initiator and chairman.
- André Borschberg, an engineer and graduate in management science, a fighter pilot, and a professional airplane and helicopter pilot, is the co-founder and CEO.
The former’s avant-gardist vision and the latter’s entrepreneurial and managerial experience are an ideal combination.
Bertrand Piccard is the initiator of the Breitling Orbiter project and captain of the first non-stop round-the-world balloon flight, capturing 7 FAI world records for the longest flight of the entire aviation’s history for both distance and duration.
André Borschberg is an engineer, a graduate of the Sloan School (MIT) in management science, and is trained as a Swiss airforce pilot. He holds 8 FAI world records for distance, altitude, and duration in a solar airplane.
The first leg of the solar flight is scheduled to depart Abu Dhabi in 20 days. The window for departure is later this month or early March. Stay tuned, I’ll bring you all the news!
This is an adventure and a symbol of sustainability that you can be part of!
You may want to know more about the Si2 Patronage Committee, and in support of this historic mission you can adopt a solar cell and get the Solar Impulse 2: Round-The-World Solar Flight Badge & Book. All revenues from the badge go to the Solar Impulse Foundation, which will help fund educational activities during the #RTW!
You may also want to get ready for the solar flight around the world by gearing up at the very cool Solar Impulse Online Store.
Photo via Solar Impulse — 18th Test Flight of Solar Impulse by Anna Pizzolante, Rezo.ch, via Solar Impulse.
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