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Solar aeroplane completes round-the-world trip

12th August 2016

By: David Oliveira

Creamer Media Staff Writer

  

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The zero-emissions electric and solar aeroplane, Solar Impulse 2 (Si2), completed its circumnavigation of the globe when it landed in Abu Dhabi again last month, following a 43 041 km journey of 17 legs.

Flying from Egypt, Solar Impulse chairperson Bertrand Piccard landed in Abu Dhabi to complete the final leg of an endeavour that was considered impossible by many.

The journey began on March 9 last year, when Solar Impulse CEO and Si2 pilot André Borschberg set off from Abu Dhabi, taking turns with Piccard in the single-seater 3.8 m3 cockpit. Piccard and Borschberg have flown Si2 over Asia, the Pacific Ocean, the US, the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the Middle East.

Nineteen world records were either set or are still pending by the World Air Sports Federation. Borschberg accomplished the pioneering first of flying five consecutive days and nights over the Pacific Ocean from Japan to Hawaii in the longest duration a solo airplane of any kind has ever flown. Also, Piccard achieved the historic first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in a solar airplane.

“This is not only a first in the history of aviation; it is . . . a first in the history of energy. I am sure that, within ten years, we will see electric aeroplanes transporting 50 passengers on short- to medium-haul flights,” Piccard said after landing.

He added that the same technologies used on the plane could be used in other applications to reduce current carbon dioxide emissions by half.

“Flying one leg with a completely new type of aeroplane is difficult enough, but flying around the world is a real challenge . . . it is confirmation that these technologies are truly dependable and reliable,” emphasised Borschberg.

“There is so much potential for the aeronautical world: while 100% solar-powered aeroplanes might take longer to materialise, electric aeroplanes will develop in the near future because of their tremendous advantages, such as energy efficiency.”

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon spoke to Piccard live a few hours before touching down in Abu Dhabi: “Solar Impulse has flown more than 40 000 km without fuel, but with an inexhaustible supply of energy and inspiration. This is a historic day for Captain Piccard and the Solar Impulse team, but it is also a historic day for humanity. You may be ending your . . . flight today, but the journey to a more sustainable world is just beginning. The Solar Impulse team is helping to pilot us to that future.”

The Future of Pioneers
Piccard and Borschberg will continue to actively promote the use of modern clean technologies as a way of improving the quality of life through two initiatives.

Firstly, establishing the International Committee for Clean Technologies will build on the #futureisclean initiative and regroup the main global actors in clean technologies to provide independent and credible guidance on energy policy for governments and corporations.

Piccard emphasised that the committee would be established because there was much to be done to encourage worldwide implementation of clean technologies and motivate people to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

Secondly, the work initiated by the engineering team of Si2 on unmanned and high-endurance electric aircrafts, which could fly at high altitude for months, had to be continued. This will offer services that could provide exponential added value and complement the work being done by satellites in a flexible and sustainable way.

“Solar Impulse is, of course, very well positioned to contribute to the next generations of manned or unmanned electric aircrafts. By capitalising on the engineering skills and expertise gained over the past decade, we will continue . . . to encourage concrete innovations and disruptive solutions,” concluded Borschberg.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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