Pilots follow their impulse

Swiss aviators' dream is to change the way the world flies and support growth of clean energy

It's long been said that the best way to predict the future is to create it.

This time, the future is about to be made by two Swiss pilots, who are a little bit ahead of the rest of us and not afraid to dream.

Soon, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, creators and co-pilots of Solar Impulse 2, the first and only solar-powered plane, will embark on their first round-the-world flight.

It is tempting to think this is just a stunt, but building their aircraft took 12 years of hard work and cost millions of dollars.

There is also the definite risk of a fatal crash.

So, why bother?

"Because it may change our lives," said Piccard, the initiator of the project. He is also a psychiatrist.

"Today's journey is just a beginning that will take us one step closer to a cleaner world. After the flight, the perception of the world will be different."

The modern explorers said that they were well aware of the difficulties they would face in carrying out their ambitious idea. At the start, few people had faith in them or were willing to invest in the project.

"But we got through all the challenges. People began to follow us, and that gave us hope," he said.

The Solar Impulse 2 is a second-generation model of the craft. It was dismantled and shipped to Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, in January. From there, the two pioneers can take advantage of good weather in March, when they will start their five-month adventure.

Compared with the first model, which flew for 26 hours without landing, Solar Impulse 2 will have to fly for 120 hours, or five days and nights without stopping. That is how long it will take to cross the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans combined.

Several countries have been chosen for stopovers, including Abu Dhabi, India, Myanmar, China and the United States.

China, the world's largest energy consumer, is expected to be the fourth country on the itinerary, with stopovers in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, and Chongqing in southwestern China.

Both cities are ideal landing sites, because they have perfect local weather conditions for flying, neither too windy nor too cloudy, said Borschberg.

Chongqing was also chosen because it plays an important role in the government's "Go West" campaign, said Borschberg, also an engineer and a fighter pilot.

"China will be leading in the world in the development of clean energy to improve the quality of life," he said, adding that the country has great potential in renewable energy.

China added more solar energy capacity than any other country in the world last year.

After stopping in China, the ultra-lightweight plane will fly over the Pacific Ocean before crossing the US, the Atlantic Ocean, southern Europe and northern Africa before returning to Abu Dhabi.

The aircraft has a wingspan of 72 meters, which is longer than a Boeing 747 commercial jet, but it weighs only 2,400 kilograms, which makes it 150 times lighter than an Airbus A380 and only slightly heavier than the average car.

lvchang@chinadaily.com.cn

The Solar Impulse 2, piloted by Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, undergoes a test flight in Payerne, Switzerland, on Nov 13, 2014.The aircraft is fitted with more than 17,000 solar cells. Ruben Sprich / Reuters

The Solar Impulse 2 experimental aircraft has a wingspan of 72 meters, which is longer than a Boeing 747 commercial jet, but weighs only 2,400 kilograms. Provided to China Daily

A technician works on the Solar Impulse 2 experimental aircraft. The experimental aircraft is a second-generation model. Provided to China Daily

Bertrand Piccard gets ready for a simulation test of the Solar Impulse 2. He and his co-pilot Andre Borschberg will fly the plane nonstop around the world in March. Provided to China Daily

The Solar Impulse 2 is disassembled for airlifting to Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, where it will start a round-the-world journey in March. Lyu Chang / China Daily

(China Daily 02/23/2015 page9)