Two weeks shy of the 106th anniversary of Wright Brothers first flight, the Solar Impulse HB-SIA left the ground and completed its first flight in Switzerland today. Solar Impulse founder and president Bertrand Piccard says it was an unforgettable moment.
"For over ten years now, I have dreamt of a solar aircraft capable of flying day and night without fuel" he said in a press release. "Today, our plane took off and was airborne for the very first time."
Following a time schedule that would make some of the larger airplane makers jealous, the Solar Impulse team followed up recent taxi tests with a short 'flea hop' over the runway at the Dübendorf Airfield where the program is based.
With a good weather window on Thursday, test pilot Markus Scherdel was given the go-ahead to take the spindly aircraft to up to take-off speed shortly after one o'clock local time. With the airplane lined up on the runway, Scherdel powered up the four motors using the on-board batteries and HB-SIA gained speed until he was able to lift off the pavement.
In an outing reminiscent of the Wright Brothers' first flight in 1903, Scherdel flew 350 meters down the runway at an altitude of only one meter in a flight lasting 28 seconds.
Despite Bertrand Piccard's excitement, the veteran aviation also remains humble about the work that still needs to be done before the Solar Impulse team realises its ultimate goal.
"It's a long way between these initial tests and a circumnavigation of the world."
With initial tests complete, the Solar Impulse team will now disassemble HB-SIA and move it to another airport at Payerne. The Dübendorf Airfield's proximity to Zurich International Airport prevents the team from more rigorous flight tests because of airspace restrictions.
Spokeswoman Rachel Bros de Puechredon told Wired that the team will continue to push the flight envelope of HB-SIA at the new airport.
"There will first be longer flights and to higher altitudes. The next step will be the first day-night-day flight, a 36 hour flight next summer."
The Solar Impulse team says they will also be connecting the solar panels at the new airfield. Flights starting in early 2010 and onwards will be using solar power and batteries as they increase the flight durations.