Solar planes fly around Switzerland

On September 21st, Switzerland's only Solar Impulse aircraft made the first flight of its round -the-clock fare .

>>> Solar powered aircraft fly 5 years in a row

Departing from Payerne, Vaud, Switzerland, after more than 4 hours flying at an average speed of 50 km / h, at 12:30 local time, Solar Impulse landed at Geneva airport. This is the first time this legendary aircraft landed on a civilian runway.

André Borschberg, pilot-controlled and co-author of Solar Impuls, says the group is preparing for an international flight scheduled for 2011. This will be a further step for Solar Impulse as the aircraft will have to overtake. cross the Atlantic and fly around the world.

Bertrand Piccard, co-creator of Solar Impulse and André Borschberg, emphasized: " The current aircraft is just like a fragile bird with long wings and very small trunks. So, to fly around the world and to be able to fly for 5 days and 5 nights, another plane is underway. "

Switzerland is at the forefront of investment, research and application of renewable energy. Solar Impulse project are experts assess bring new hope for an era of non-CO ₂ emissions for the aviation world.

Solar Impulse has a wingspan of 63.4m, 21.85m in length, 6.4m in height and weighs only 1600kg. A total of 11,628 photovoltaic cells are available on the body and wing of the aircraft.