SolarImpulse - Around the World patch.
June 2 , 2014
Best-Of Solar Impulse 2 - First Flight - Maiden Flight
The second prototype of Solar Impulse made its first flight on Monday morning over Payerne , in the hands of the pilot Markus Scherdel .
Pilot Markus Scherdel in the cockpit of SolarImpulse 2
2 Solar Impulse landed Monday morning without problem Payerne ( VD) at 7:52 . The new solar aircraft flew into the hands of Markus Scherdel first test flight pilot 2:15 , with the ambition to realize a world tour in 2015.
SolarImpulse2 flight over Payerne (Switzerland)
" The aircraft was in good weather despite the presence of some clouds and rain residue ," said Alexandra Gindroz spokesman Solar Impulse. Despite the early hour , dozens of onlookers had attended the 5:37 takeoff .
The aircraft flew over Payerne
The car has a wingspan of 72 meters against 64 for the first prototype. It weighs 2300 kg , against 1,600 for the previous solar plane . Aerodynamic performance and energy efficiency are much higher , according to the team .
SolarImpulse 2 / Boeing 747-81 comparison
To be successful around the world , Solar Impulse 2 will be able to fly without fuel with a single pilot at a time up to 5 days and 5 nights in a row to cross oceans .
For more information about Solar Impulse 2, visit: http://live.solarimpulse.com/
Images, Video, Text, Credits: Solar Impulse / Orbiter.ch Aerospace.
Cheers, Orbiter.ch
