Already, the Solar Impulse 2 holds the record for the longest non-stop flight in the world (at four days, 21 hours, and 52 minutes), and now it’s finally made it to its final destination in the U.S.
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“This flight over #Statueofliberty symbolises USA values – liberty of pioneers, liberty to explore, liberty to invent”, Mr Borschberg said in a tweet posted along with a photo of the city’s lights twinkling in the early morning darkness.
The flight from Pennsylvania to NY – piloted by Borschberg – is the 14th leg of Solar Impulse’s journey to circumnavigate the globe. From New York, the plane will fly across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe.
“The whole team has shown enormous resolve and commitment throughout their journey which started in Abu Dhabi, and as the UAE we are deeply proud to be supporting this mission”. Battery-stored power fuels flights like a trip from Pennsylvania to NY. The solar craft ” s cruising speed, akin to that of a vehicle, required pilots to take up meditation and hypnosis in training to stay alert for long periods.
Their trip across the US mainland began April 24, when Solar Impulse landed in Mountain View, California, after flying over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco on its way from Hawaii.
But damage to the battery and changing seasons grounded the plane and kept it from reaching its goal within a year.
“I’m very happy to be playing my own part in spreading Abu Dhabi’s message that clean energy can help us all secure a sustainable and prosperous future”.
Solar Impulse 2 typically flies between 30 miles per hour and 40 miles per hour, although this can increase and decrease significantly depending on wind speed.
Borschberg’s flight marked the 14 leg of Solar Impulse 2’s attempt to circumnavigate the globe. Stops were made in Oman, Myanmar, China and Japan.
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The team is ecstatic that the plane has completed at least one lap.
