New Solar Aviation World Distance Record for Solar Impulse

Solar Impulse, the solar-powered airplane of Swiss pioneers Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, successfully landed in Dallas-Fort Worth on Thursday, May 23 completing its longest leg of the 2013 Across America mission, and setting a new absolute world distance record in solar aviation (832 NM/ 1’541 km).

The previous distance record was also established in Solar Impulse when André Borschberg flew 602 NM (1’116 km) from Switzerland to Spain in May 2012, reports the Solar Impulse team. The record is now to be submitted to the National Aeronautics Association before it is ultimately awarded by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).

Phoenix to Dallas Flight Sets New Absolute Distance World Record for Solar-Powered Aviation

AcrossAmerica, 2nd leg from Phoenix Sky Harbor to Dallas Fort Worth, Bertrand Piccard welcoming André Borschberg after the landing, 2013.05.22 | © Solar Impulse | Revillard 

Solar Impulse Lands at Dallas-Fort Worth as Part of Historic Journey Across America

The flight originated Wednesday, May 22 at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport when André Borschberg took off at 04:47 a.m. MST (Arizona time). After 18 hours and 21 minutes in the air, he landed the Solar Impulse prototype at 01:08 a.m. CDT Thursday at Dallas- Fort Worth International Airport. This is the second of five legs Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg will alternately fly from California’s Bay Area to New York City.

This leg was particularly challenging because of fairly strong winds at the landing. It also was the longest flight – in terms of distance – ever flown by a solar airplane. You have to understand that the pilot needs to stay awake for more than 20 hours without any autopilot. –André Borschberg, co-founder, CEO and pilot of Solar Impulse who still holds the record for the longest duration ever in a solar powered airplane with 26 hours.

AcrossAmerica | Richard Branson visits Solar Impulse, Bertrand Piccard, Richard Branson and André Borschberg in front of the Solar Impulse, Moffett Field hangar in Mountain View, California, USA | 01.05.2013 | © Solar Impulse | Ackermann 

It was exciting to have on board the list of the thousands of friends who support us in our goal of promoting the use of clean technologies worldwide. We are now looking forward to hand over our second Clean Generation flag to the Texan authorities on behalf of all our supporters. The first flag was given to the Governor of Arizona Jan Brewer. –Bertrand Piccard, initiator and chairman of Solar Impulse shortly after André’s landing.

Five custom-designed flags displaying the Clean Generation slogan are carried by the pilots and handed over to civic leaders at each stop. To help bring attention to the need for clean technologies, Piccard and Borschberg have launched the Clean Generation initiative.

Solar Impulse has gained the support of thousands of influential people worldwide, including key opinion leaders such as Virgin Group founder Richard Branson and filmmaker James Cameron.

AcrossAmerica | 2nd leg from Phoenix Sky Harbor to Dallas Fort Worth, Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg just after the landing, 2013.05.22  | © Solar Impulse | Revillard 

Solar Impulse is organizing a number of events at Dallas-Fort Worth, including a public, open house. The Friday public event was welcomed with a great success being sold out just a few hours after the opening. 1,200 people including 4 local schools will have the opportunity to visit the airplane.

Because of this great success Solar Impulse and Dallas-Fort Worth teams worked to organize an additional open day which will take place on Saturday, May 25th from 11:00 AM to 05:00 PM. To register people can use the following link solarimpulseatdallasonsaturday.eventbrite.com/ or visit solarimpulse.com/.

Bertrand Piccard will fly with Solar Impulse to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport for the third leg of its journey. The departure date will depend on weather conditions

Flight Report: Phoenix Sky Harbor-Dallas-Fort Worth

The “Across America” mission at a glance:

• Early May 2013: First leg San Francisco/Moffett Airfield – Phoenix/Sky Harbor
• Mid May 2013: Second leg Phoenix/Sky Harbor – Dallas/Fort Worth
• End May – Early June 2013: Third leg Dallas/Fort Worth – St. Louis/Lambert Airport
• Early to Mid-June 2013: Fourth leg St. Louis/Lambert Airport – Washington DC/Dulles
• Early July 2013: Fifth and last leg Washington DC/Dulles – New York/JFK

By Amber Archangel

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