Solar Impulse Flying on Sunshine

By Jason Paur

From: http://www.wired.com/autopia/

We here at Autopia were excited looking at the incredible pictures of the Solar Impulse prototype during its maiden flight yesterday. But it was still hard to imagine an airplane with such a massive wingspan and four small electric motors powered by sunlight actually being piloted through the air.

Thankfully the Solar Impulse team has provided us with some video of the flight that shows the gracefully slow aircraft flying gently over the Swiss countryside. The video is a quick edit, nothing too fancy, but it includes all phases of the flight, including some air-to-air shots.

The first video includes footage from the ground during the takeoff and landing. The second video (after the jump) gives a comprehensive look at the preparation, takeoff, air-to-air views as well as the landing and celebration. There’s some bonus information for those of you with French skills.

We’ll be following this project closely and will be sure to keep the updates coming. More test flights are planned throughout the summer, and the team hopes to complete a 36-hour, day-night-day flight using the technique planned for the around-the-world flight later in the year.

Video: Solar Impulse