Solar Impulse Completes Maiden Flight

April 8, 2010 — They have a ways to go before they’re ready to fly around the world on solar power, but the Solar Impulse HB-SIA came one step closer to that reality by successfully completing its maiden flight on Wednesday. Under the eyes of thousands of spectators from all over Switzerland, the Solar Impulse HB-SIA took off from Payerne airfield and slowly climbed up to nearly 4,000 feet. For the next 87 minutes test pilot Markus Scherdel familiarized himself with the prototype’s flight behavior and performed the initial flight exercises before making the first landing. The execution of these various maneuvers was designed to get a feel for the aircraft and verify its controllability. “This first flight was for me a very intense moment,” said Scherdel. “The HB-SIA behaved just as the flight simulator told us. Despite its immense size and feather weight, the aircraft’s controllability matches our expectations.” André Borschberg, CEO and co-founder of the project, said the first mission was the most risky phase of the entire project. “One hour 27 minutes of intense emotion after seven years of research, testing and perseverance,” he said. “Never has an airplane as large and light ever flown before.” The carbon fiber aircraft has the wingspan of an Airbus A340 and the weight of an average family car. Almost 12,000 solar cells, integrated into the wings, feed renewable energy to the four electric motors with a maximum power of 10 hp each, and by day also charge the lithium‐polymer batteries, which will enable the aircraft to fly at night. “We still have a long way to go until the night flights and an even longer way before flying round the world, but today, thanks to the extraordinary work of an entire team, an essential step towards achieving our vision has been taken,” said Solar Impulse Chairman and initiator Bertrand Piccard. “Our future depends on our ability to convert rapidly to the use of renewable energies. Solar Impulse is intended to demonstrate what can be done already today by using these energies and applying new technologies that can save natural resources.” Martin Reichlin wrote in the Solar Impulse blog that the maiden flight was a huge success. “We reached all objectives, especially the safe landing, which was our main purpose.” Prior to Wednesday, the aircraft had flown about 3 feet above the ground for about 1,150 feet.

Fueled by solar energy, the Solar Impulse HB-SIA makes its maiden flight. Photo credit: © Solar Impulse The Solar Impulse team is all smiles after the successful flight. Photo credit: © Solar Impulse The Solar Impulse HB-SIA contains almost 12,000 solar cells integrated into its wings. Photo credit: © Solar Impulse

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