Solar Impulse HB-SIA takes off for the first time
At 13:11 on 3 December 2009, the Solar Impulse HB-SIA, took the Runway test in Dübendorf, Switzerland, the Solar Impulse HB-SIA is the first airplane designed to fly day and night without fuel, left the ground for the first time.
The results of the ground tests conducted these last few weeks to verify numerous parameters (the prototype’s controllability, acceleration, braking paths and, engine power) had been overwhelming positive, thereby leading the team to give the go-ahead to Markus Scherdel, the test pilot, to take the prototype up to its take-off speed.
As the aircraft gently took up speed, the huge wing of … Continue Reading