SOLAR IMPULSE HAS LANDED IN PARIS
Paris, 15 June 2011 - After a flight lasting 16 hours 05 minutes, using no fuel, Solar Impulse HB-SIA landed safely at Paris-Le Bourget, where it will be on display as a “Special Guest” at the opening of the International Paris Air Show.
With André Borschberg at the controls, Solar Impulse took off Tuesday morning at 05h10 from Brussels Airport. This took the aircraft around Brussels, then South towards Maubeuge, Reins, Troyes and Avallon. The plane then finally headed back north towards Paris Le Bourget airport after a fairly long circling that was due to air traffic and meteorological conditions that were anticipated by the mission team.
Solar Impulse’s founders, Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, are delighted that the aircraft was able to reach Paris in time for the start of the International Paris Air Show, whose «Special Guest» it will be from 20 to 26 June. Every afternoon from 14:30, visitors will be able to admire Solar Impulse on static display in its own temporary hangar, and - weather permitting - watch impressive silent flight displays by the solar-electric giant every morning.
« To stay airborne day and night without using any fuel implies making radical energy savings, and this is one way in which aviation can become less of an environmental burden» explains André Borschberg, co-founder and CEO.
« Throughout the 20th century, aviation was the undisputed symbol of progress, innovation and the pioneering spirit - the qualities that transformed our world », said Bertrand Piccard, founder and President of Solar Impulse : « And it should continue to play that role today, promoting optimism in society and a commitment to adopting solutions that will allow us to reduce our dependency on fossil energy. »
Thanks to the satellite communication system developed by Solar Impulse’s « National Telecom Partner », Swisscom, Flight Director Raymond Clerc and his team were able to support the pilot throughout the flight from the « Mission Control Center » in Payerne (CH).
FLIGHT REPORT Brussels – Paris
Pilot: André Borschberg, CEO and Co-founder
Take-off time : 14/06/2011 05:10
Time of landing : 14/06/2011 21:15
Flight duration : 16 hours 05 min
Average speed : 22,5 kts
Average altitude : 310’000 feet
Distance : 363,6 NM
Battery charge leftover : 95%