Solar-powered aircraft began the second stage of the world tour – BFM.Ru

The aircraft is 17 thousand solar batteries on which there are four electric motors

The Swiss solar-powered aircraft Solar Impulse February 10 the morning of March took off from the airport of the capital of Oman Muscat Indian city of Ahmedabad, starting the second stage of the world tour, according to Tass.

Solar Impulse 2 took off at 05:35 MSK after the 11-hour “pit stop” in the capital of the Sultanate. Sat at the helm of the second initiator of the project, the famous Swiss balloonist Bertrand Piccard. It has to overcome 1465 kilometers for 16 hours, but Solar Impulse 2 may be longer in flight. Thus, the planned 12-hour flight from Abu Dhabi to Muscat eve eventually lasted an hour longer.

The first phase of the pilot held a circumnavigation Andre Borschberg. Taking off Monday morning from Abu Dhabi, he arrived in Oman at 19:15 MSK. The start of the flight from the airport “Al-Batiin” in the capital of the United Arab Emirates was preceded by a failure in the electrical system, which was eliminated in about 15 minutes.

One of the problems for pilots and engineers was also the eve of the unfavorable weather. Raging dust storm in the region could reduce the efficiency of solar cells.

See also: Around the world in 150 days. Solar-powered airplane in the sky From India Borschberg and Piccard plans to get to China, and then they will be flying over the Pacific Ocean, the US and Europe. Solar Impulse 2 will not enter the airspace of Russia. During the flight scheduled 12 landings, the final point of the route will be the UAE.

Air travel will last about five months, during which time the Solar Impulse will fly 2 35 thousand km. Manage it in turns to be the Swiss Borschberg and Piccard.

Solar Impulse 2, designed in Switzerland, is an improved version of the aircraft Solar Impulse, and has increased the size. Its wingspan – 72 meters, weight – about 2.3 tons.

The aircraft is 17 thousand solar batteries on which there are four electric motors. Theoretically, the aircraft is able to reside in the air, as the accumulation of day energy is enough to fly at night. Its cruising speed is about 140 kilometers per hour.