Flying forever - Solar Impulse

After months of preparations, the moment  the graceful solar airplane silently lifted its wings soaring high above Moffett Airfield (KNUQ, Sunnyvale, California, USA) towards the rising sun.

Piloted by Bertrand Piccard, the take off marks the launching of 2013 Across America mission and with it, the kickoff of the “Clean Generation” initiative. Solar Impulse will cross the continental United States in 5 stopovers in hopes of raising awareness about the potential of clean technologies.

It’s going to be an exciting summer as HB-SIA conquers new heights on its final adventure. In fact, HB-SIA was originally only built to prove that a solar aircraft can fly day and night on solar power. The prototype airplane exceeded expectations leading it to explore the European and African continents, and now North America; a great position to advocate for greater investment in sustainable energy sources.

Size

 “Thanks to our friendship and partnership, we’ve come this far” said André to Bertrand before takeoff, “my dream is to have people understand the potential of these technologies and use them on the ground”. Looking up at the big bird against the sun, you can't help but believe that, someday, it will come true.

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Pannon Air Service
Diamond Aircraft Hungary