Solar Impulse 2 project team has conducted the first test flights of the solar-powered aircraft in Abu Dhabi ahead of its planned round-the-world flight in early March.
Test pilot Markus Scherdel evaluated performance of the aircraft under various weather conditions, and Solar Impulse co-founder and pilot André Borschberg flew the aircraft for a full day test flight.
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Mr Borschberg said: "These first test flights in Abu Dhabi are an important stage, a step closer towards the impending round-the-world solar flight attempt.
"Si2 incorporates innovative technology to render the aircraft more efficient, reliable, sustainable and in particular, better adapted to long-haul flights.
"It is the first of its kind, an aircraft with perpetual endurance and now, we must ensure the sustainability of the pilot in-flight."
The team will conduct additional test flights in the next few days in preparation for the aircraft to circumnavigate the world.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataSolar Impulse 2 will travel 35,000km during the global flight covering 12 locations, including Muscat, Oman, Ahmedabad and Varanasi, India, Mandalay, Myanmar, and Chongqing and Nanjing, China.
The solar-powered aircraft will travel for 25 flight days over five months, and at speeds between 50kmph and 100kmph.
Solar Impulse 2 is the upgraded version of the solar-powered prototype Solar Impulse 1 with a wingspan of 72m and the weight of 2.3t. The aircraft wings are equipped with 17,000 solar cells, which convert sunlight into electricity.
Image: Solar Impulse 2 completed a full day test flight in preparation to circumnavigate the world. Photo: courtesy of Solar Impulse SA.
