Solar powered plane makes first flight

The first test flight of a aircraft being designed to fly around the world by solar power alone has been successfully completed in Switzerland.

The Solar Impulse project's aircraft flew up to an altitude of 4,000 feet in an 87 minute flight while stability and manoeuvrability were checked. The project's goal is to fly a solar-powered aircraft around the world in 2012.

“This first mission was the most risky phase of the entire project,” said André Borschberg, chief executive and co-founder of Solar Impulse.

“Never has an airplane as large and light ever flown before! The aim was to verify the prototype’s behaviour in flight and to test its reaction to various manoeuvres. The success of this first flight allows us to envisage the further program with greater serenity.”

The aircraft has a wingspan wider than a Boeing 787, embedded with 12,000 solar panels, but weighs just three and a half tons fully loaded. It is powered by four 10 horse-power engines and cruises at about 45 miles per hour.

“We still have a long way to go until the night flights and an even longer way before flying round the world, but today, thanks to the extraordinary work of an entire team, an essential step towards achieving our vision has been taken”, said Solar Impulse co-founder Bertrand Piccard.

“Our future depends on our ability to convert rapidly to the use of renewable energies. Solar Impulse is intended to demonstrate what can be done already today by using these energies and applying new technologies that can save natural resources.”

The planned flight in 2012 will take off in the Middle East and head east in five stages, with each stage lasting around 3-4 days. Pilots will have to gain altitude and charge the aircraft's batteries during the day and then glide downwards at night.

Planning further ahead the project's leaders suggest that with improvements in battery technology a non-stop circumnavigation could be possible.

Last year the two founders were awarded the the 2009 Brunswick Research Prize for their work on the project.

“Piccard and Borschberg are true pioneers and ambassadors of flights propelled only by solar energy, searching for opportunities to meet tomorrow’s mobility challenges by developing alternative propulsion solutions. They push the limits of technical feasibility and convince us of their determination and their outstanding commitment”, noted the Jury of the Brunswick Prize.

“The outcome of their achievements has given us new and fundamental expertise in man-machine interfacing, aircraft construction technology and alternative energies.”