A plane powered only by the sun will continue on its way to Hawai‘i. The Solar Impulse 2 left China for the Hawaiian Islands two weeks ago, but made an unscheduled stop in Japan due to poor weather. But as HPR’s Molly Solomon reports, the plane is now ready to embark on its most challenging leg.
Its wingspan is wider than a 747, and it weighs no more than a large SUV. That’s part of the reason the Solar Impulse 2 has been waiting for the right weather window. Its light weight body makes it energy efficient, but also prone to turbulence.
Pilot Andre Borschberg is the CEO and co-founder of the sun-powered plane that’s attempting to travel around the world without using a drop of fuel. He says the flight to Hawai‘i will be the plane’s eighth and most ambitious leg. “We’re based in front of this big ocean,” said Borschberg. “That’s the longest flight of any kind of airplane with only one pilot on board.”
Borschberg’s journey around the world began back in March, when he flew out of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. He and Bertrand Piccard are splitting the flying. But each pilot is alone inflight: the cockpit only has room for one. The 4,000 miles across the Pacific would be the longest solo airplane flight ever attempted. It’s something Borschberg says will prove to be the moment of truth for the whole mission. “It’s an inner exploration,” he explained. “I’ll be with myself for 5 days, 5 nights. That’s an opportunity to learn about how I will behave, feel, react when I’m tired, when it’s difficult, and when it’s fantastic.”
Energy is collected during the day from more than 17,000 solar panels that line the top of the plane’s wings. That power is then stored in batteries, allowing the plane to fly through the night. Borschberg says this flight is less about breaking aviation records, and more about the potential of renewable energy. “In some ways you can see this airplane as a demonstration of energy efficiency,” said Borschberg. “It’s an example of how we can use our technologies not only in aviation, but everywhere, to reduce energy consumption.”
To stay alert on the solo flight, Borschberg will take short naps, lasting no more than 20 minutes. He’s also been practicing yoga and meditation to prepare physically and mentally for the journey ahead to Hawaii. “I’m dreaming about it every night, so I hope it becomes true very soon.”
Once the plane reaches the islands, co-pilot Bertrand Piccard will take over and fly the next leg from Hawai‘i to Phoenix, Arizona.
