Solar Impulse Makes First Test Flight | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

 Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-05.13.24

Airborne-NextGen-05.14.24

 Airborne-Unlimited-05.15.24 Airborne-AffordableFlyers-05.16.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.17.24

Thu, Apr 08, 2010

Solar Impulse Makes First Test Flight

Swiss Group Hopes To Circumnavigate On Power From The Sun

The Solar Impulse, an aircraft being developed by a Swiss group for an attempted flight around the world only on solar power, completed its first test flight Wednesday at a military air base in Western Switzerland.

The airplane, powered solely by four 10 horsepower electric motors, climbed to an altitude of about 3,600 feet before returning to land at after a flight of 87 minutes.

The plane that flew Wednesday was a prototype. The Associated Press reports that project co-founder Andre Borschgerg said that additional tests would be conducted to refine the airplane for the round-the-world attempt, and that construction on that airplane would begin next year.

“This summer, we want to show that we can fly night and day. This will happen in Payerne. Hopefully in May, June or July,” he added.

Artists Concept

The aircraft's wings are covered with about 12 thousand solar cells to provide power to its batteries, which weigh almost 900 pounds. The five-stage circumnavigation attempt is planned in 2013.

FMI: www.solarimpulse.com

Advertisement

More News

Classic Aero-TV: Remembering Bob Hoover

From 2023 (YouTube Version): Legacy of a Titan Robert (Bob) Anderson Hoover was a fighter pilot, test pilot, flight instructor, and air show superstar. More so, Bob Hoover was an i>[...]

ANN FAQ: Follow Us On Instagram!

Get The Latest in Aviation News NOW on Instagram Are you on Instagram yet? It's been around for a few years, quietly picking up traction mostly thanks to everybody's new obsession >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.15.24)

Aero Linx: B-52H Stratofortress The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic spee>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.15.24):Altimeter Setting

Altimeter Setting The barometric pressure reading used to adjust a pressure altimeter for variations in existing atmospheric pressure or to the standard altimeter setting (29.92).>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.16.24)

"Knowing that we play an active part in bettering people's lives is extremely rewarding. My team and I are very thankful for the opportunity to be here and to help in any way we ca>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Change Display

Headlines Only | Headlines w/ Teasers | View Everything

Advertisement

Top Videos

Airborne 05.17.24: Hummingbird 'Best', Cavorite Flies, Starliner Update

Airborne Affordable Flyers 05.16.24: PRA Runway, Wag-Aero Sold, Young Eagles

Airborne 05.15.24: Ghost Sq MidAir, B-2 Junked, Dream Chaser Readies

See All

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC