Phoenix To Dallas Flight Sets Absolute Distance World Record For Solar-Powered Aviation

Solar Impulse successfully landed in Dallas-Fort Worth on Thursday, May 23 completing the longest leg of the 2013 Across America mission and setting a new absolute world distance record in solar aviation, having traveled at 832 nm. The previous distance record was also established in Solar Impulse when André Borschberg flew 602 nm from Switzerland to Spain in May 2012. The record is now to be submitted to the National Aeronautics Association before it is ultimately awarded by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).

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 0108 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” said 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.

“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.” added 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.

Solar Impulse is organizing a number of events at Dallas-Fort Worth, including a public, open house. The Friday public event 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.

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.

(Image provided by Solar Impulse)

FMI: www.solarimpulse.com