Weather Along The Route To Hawaii Continues To Be A Problem

After weeks on the ground in Nagoya, Japan, Solar Impulse 2 had been set for departure on its 4,000 mile crossing to Hawaii on Tuesday.

But it was not to be. USA Today reports that the flight was scrubbed because of unfavorable weather conditions along the route of flight, and no date has been set for another attempt.

When the flight does occur, it will be the world's longest solar-powered flight, as well as the longest solo flight in history. The crossing is expected to take five days.

The first attempt to cross from China to Hawaii was cut short when the weather deteriorated over the Pacific Ocean, and the plane made an unscheduled stop in Nagoya, Japan. It was slightly damaged during the landing, but the Solar Impulse 2 team says those damages have been repaired and the plane is ready to fly.

All that is needed now is a weather window that will allow the fragile aircraft to make the marathon crossing as safely as possible. But when that might be is still an open question.

(Image provided by Solar Impulse. Aircraft set for departure June 23 before flight was scrubbed due to weather)

FMI:  http://www.solarimpulse.com/