Originally published on 1Sun4All.
Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg have each flown a final test flight in Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) prior the departure on the first leg of the 1st round-the-world solar flight. Bertrand flew the flight last night and said via twitter, “Flying at night with solar power reminded me how clean technology can open new opportunities in our lives.”
Bertrand continued, saying, “This is the last time that I am in #Si2‘s cockpit before the #RTW begins. We are rapidly approaching the start line.”
The Solar Impulse team said it was a magical Arabian Night for Bertrand Piccard as he flew over Abu Dhabi with plenty of energy to spare! The flight was tracked by mission engineers in Abu Dhabi, and by the Monaco Control Centre.
André Borschberg has completed his first and only training flight in Abu Dhabi with Si2, the description under the new #Si2 YouTube video, shown above, noted. He was able to fly from dawn until after sunset, training on flight patterns around the airport and over the Arabian Sea, taking in the magnificent views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Since this is the last test flight that André will make, it is his last opportunity to establish confidence with the cockpit controls.
On Twitter, André Borschberg said, “@bertrandpiccard and I are still learning the controls of #Si2. Today is one step closer to the adventure ahead.”
“A great day of tests has just ended! @bertrandpiccard, @andreborschberg & the #solarTEAM are ready for the #RTW,” enthused the Solar Impulse Team.
“#Si2 is ready to roll back inside its hangar! It will next fly in direction of #Muscat, Oman,” said the Solar Impulse Team via Twitter.
Departing Abu Dhabi for the 5-month record-breaking adventure to fly around the world with no fuel, the first stop will be in Muscat (Muscat International Airport, MCT/OOMS) in the Sultanate of Oman. The pilot will fly the zero-fuel airplane for a distance of about 400 km (215 NM and 248.5 miles) for an estimated time of 12 hours.
This aviation-history-changing mission will carry the pilots and Solar Impulse team from the deserts of the Persian Gulf, through the unrelenting Indian monsoon, over the Burmese temples and the Great Wall of China, followed by two ocean crossings (with an American “dream” break in between), to come back around to where it all began in the Persian Gulf.
FYI: You can gear up at the very cool Solar Impulse Online Store. By proudly wearing the colors of this revolutionary solar aircraft, you will show that you share Si2’s vision in the power of clean technologies to create a better future!
Video Credit: SOLAR IMPULSE | Photo Credit: André Borschberg’s Training Flight, via Solar Impulse | Stefatou | Rezo.ch
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