Solar Impulse takes its first Hops
The solar Impulse aircraft has taken a small step in its bid to fly around the world.
Boeing has made its first flight of its efficient airliner, the 787 Dreamliner, but that is no match to the plans of Bertrand Piccard. It is his hope to fly around the world in his experimental plane, named the Solar Impulse, which would be completely powered by solar energy.
After nearly 4 years of research and development the Solar Aircraft made its maiden flight on December 3rd. Designated the HB-SIA, it sped along the runway at Dubendorf Airfield, Switzerland using just battery power. As it reached 22 mph the aircraft rose in to the air and cruised at flight level of 1 meter. After a distance of 350 meters it was all over and the aircraft descended to land safely.
This was just a small test to prove the concept and now the aircraft will undergo more construction. In particular it will be fitted with its power source, a whopping 11,628 lightweight mono-crystalline solar cells mounted along the wings of the plane. The next step is to achieve its first completely solar powered flight.
This will not be Mr Piccard’s first round the world achievement, his previous claim to fame was as the first person to circumnavigate the world in a balloon. Hopefully sometimes in the next few years he will also have the claim of being the first person to fly round the world in a solar powered aircraft. Boing will then have to re-evaluate the meaning of efficient aircraft.
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