January 23, 2015: Two Swiss pilots are attempting to take their solar powered airplane across the globe, showcasing the wonder that solar energy or renewable energy can do. The plane will also stop over at India, which is one among stops at other countries. The plane, piloted by Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, will take off from Abu Dhabi in February end or at the start of March. This will be the first round the globe flight that will not use even a drop of fuel and will run entirely on solar energy. The flight will cross India too and will make a stop over at Ahmedabad and Varanasi.
The aircraft, Solar Impulse 2 (Si2), is set to fly 35000 km per day and night at variable speeds of 50-100 kilometer per hour in a journey of more than 25 days.
The cockpit of the plane is unpressurised with just one seat for the pilot and this will be a great challenge to the attempt. As per the flight route details, there will be a total of 12 stops in the route that include two stops in India . The flight will stop at Muscat (Oman), Mandalay (Myanmar), and Chongqing and Nanjing (China). The plane will fly over the Pacific Ocean via Hawaii and US mainland. It will then make a stop at Phoenix and New York City.
However, the third stopover will be decided according to weather conditions in the midwest. The plane will also cross the Atlantic and the final leg of the journey will include a stop in southern Europe or North Africa before finally landing at Abu Dhabi.
Bertrand Piccard, initiator and chairman of Solar Impulse said that the attempt made by them of completing the maiden solar powered round-the-globe flight is one of a kind and they will prove that the impossible can be achieved by clean technology and renewable energy.
The team of Solar Impulse will organise meetings, aircraft visits and Google Hangouts to promote the mission’s message.
