Originally published on 1Sun4All.
Solar Impulse has tweeted: “UPDATE: due to crosswinds above limits along the route, earliest possible takeoff is now Thursday 16th of April.”
When the weather clears and MCC and Mission Director Raymond Clerc gives the green light for Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) to take off from Chongqing, China, it is anticipated that André Borschberg will continue onward to Nanjing, China. The flight is expected to cover about 1,190 km (642 NM, 739 miles) for an estimated time of 20 hours. This will be flight #6 of 12. There are two ocean crossings waiting for the pilots and team when they depart from Nanjing.
Bertrand Piccard said on Twitter: “We are making stopovers with #Si2. These are important moments to communicate our #RTW message #futureisclean.”
Join the Movement: FutureIsClean.org #FutureIsClean
The first Pacific crossing is anticipated to be flown by André Borschberg who will pilot the zero-fuel airplane from Nanjing, China, to the Hawaiian Island of Oahu, USA, the longest flight of the RTW attempt. The flight is expected to cover about 8,172 km (4,412 NM, 5,077 miles) for an estimated time of 120 hours over 5 days.
#Si2‘s pilot climbs up to the height of Mt. Everest, 8,500 m (28,000 ft) in an unpressurized cabin! pic.twitter.com/jYeOaIwKyx
— SOLAR IMPULSE (@solarimpulse) April 12, 2015
The second Pacific ocean crossing is anticipated to be flown by Bertrand Piccard taking off for its eighth flight from Hawaii (Kalaeloa Airport, JRF/PHJR) in the United States of America, to Phoenix (Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, PHX/KPHX) in the United States of America. The pilot will fly the solar-powered airplane on about 4,707 km (2,541 NM, 2,924 miles) for an estimated time of 100 hours. This flight will be the first time that Si2 stops in mainland USA, last visited in 2013 by the prototype Solar Impulse 1 as it flew Across America.
The flights across the Pacific Ocean are a feat of endurance for the pilot, and for the support teams that constantly monitor and plan for Si2’s route.
I want children to remember that every difficulty is a potential opportunity pic.twitter.com/qNKzRJZuVi
— André Borschberg (@andreborschberg) April 10, 2015
Bertrand Piccard said on Twitter: André Borschberg and I want to inspire young generations to achieve the impossible thanks to pioneering spirit
Photo Credit: High altitude clouds & crosswinds prevent #Flight6 to #Nanjing via Solar Impulse | Cartoon Credit: Martin Saive via Solar Impulse
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