Solar Impulse Across America 2013 patch.
June 16, 2013
Humor makes it happen
Image above: Across America 2013: 4th leg from Cincinnati to Washington DC. A. Borschberg waiting the landing on the runway. Solar Impulse / Revillard / Rezo.ch.
Bertrand gracefully touched down on runway 19L at Dulles International Airport at 00:15 AM EDT (UTC-4), Sunday June 16th. Bertrand had a chance to get some incredible shots above the Appalachians and the solar airplane was in great shape despite the quasi-shower it experienced this morning before take-off. The fog that lingered over Cincinnati Municipal Lunken Airport caused condensation to form on the wings which the Ground Crew had to meticulously wipe off with cloths and pipettes. But at least Solar Impulse is now shiny and clean, ready to show off to the public!
Image above: Across America 2013: 4th leg from Cincinnati to Washington DC. A. Borschberg and B. Piccard just after the landing. Solar Impulse / Revillard / Rezo.ch.
Leg 4: Cincinnati KLUK – Washington KIAD
- Pilot: Bertrand Piccard, Initiator and Chairman
- Take off : June 15th 10:11 AM EDT (UTC-4)
- Landing: June 16th 00: 15 AM EDT (UTC-4)
- Flight duration: 14h04min
- Average ground speed: 50 km/h (27 kt/h)
- Highest altitude reached: 3048 m (10 000 ft)
- Flight Distance: 702 km (~379 NM)
Bertrand and André are thrilled to be in Washington D.C., the nation’s capital but also the first stop on the East Coast before going to New York City. It was also an emotional flight on a more personal level: it was Bertrand’s last mission flight in the cockpit of HB-SIA. What a wonderful way to say goodbye to the prototype that has exceeded all expectations! André will be taking the controls for the final leg of the Across America adventure, connecting Washington D.C. to New York City.
Across America 2013: 4th leg from Cincinnati to Washington DC. B. Piccard receiving some sweetness from Washington, exactly what he needs after such a long flight! Solar Impulse |Revillard| Rezo.ch.
The entire Solar Impulse team worked really hard to make this mission a success as well as to turn it into an unforgettable and symbolic final adventure of the solar airplane, HB-SIA, that’s so dear to all of us. The adrenaline and excitement are palpable as the mission is slowly coming to end and none of this would have been possible without the team. In fact, the key to success is a four letter word: T-E-A-M. From the Engineers, to the Meteorologists; from the Marketing and Communications team to the Logistics team; from the Press to Multimedia to the Ground Crew; from the ATC to the Analysts; it was all made possible thanks to professionalism, passion and especially humor! Between the intense moments of concentration, there is always room for fooling around and cracking a joke, an essential ingredient to keep us all going.
Solar Impulse Landing in Washington
Today, Sunday 16th an Open House will be organized from 1PM to 5PM. Everybody is welcome as the entrance is free while parking is $15 before 4PM. Just go to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center; for directions click here: http://airandspace.si.edu/visit/directions/directions_uhc.cfm
For more information about Solar Impulse, Visit: http://solarimpulse.com/
Images (mentioned), Video, Text, Credit: Solar Impulse.
Best regards, Orbiter.ch
