Solar Impulse 2, which is first solar powered plane, has successfully landed in Oman while performing its first leg of its quest and it was fueled by the sun rays only. This solar powered plane took off from Abu Dhabi in UAE with Andre Borschberg, the pilot of plane at the controls for 400-kilometer or 250 mile flight.
This journey was expected to take approx. 12 hours, but due to high winds of 11 knots it got delay by forcing Andre to fly in particular holding pattern above Muscat until winds dropped on safe levels. After landing Andre Borschberg express his happiness and stated that now ma looking forward with rest of the adventure. Oman was one of the stop of Solar Impulse 2 as it is on the marathon of 35,000-kilometer, it is five month around the globe via; Myanmar, China, India and the U.S.
Structure of Solar Impulse 2:
Solar Impulse 2 is 72-meter or 236-foot wingspan make it wider than any Boeing or Boeing 747, but the weight of plane is just 2.5 tons, which is much lighter than any large SUV. Its tiny cockpit is packed with essentials of journey and enough food and water for 7 days with attached parachute, oxygen bottles and life raft in case of emergencies.
Piccard and Borschberg have piloted the earlier version of the plane in all over the U.S. in 2013, so they are not a new enthusiast for this kind of adventure. Piccard was the part of first team whereas; Borschberg is an ex- fighter pilot. Solar Impulse 2 is expected to be on the ground for the duration of 8 hours before taking new flight; next flight is scheduled with pilot Bertrand Piccard over the city Ahmedabad in India. This historic flight was scheduled for takeoff on March 1, 2015 but due to strong dust storms and hazy conditions departure was postponed. Luc Truellemans, Team’s meteorologist, stated that in Abu Dhabi we had a lot of sandstorms and winds with sea breezes”.
According to Andre Borschberg, on Monday morning, the skies were cleared for takeoff however due to some technical check-ups the takeoff got delayed. Testing operation in Oman was little short, compared to other longer legs which takes up to five or six days and nights. Piccard and Borschberg have spent more than 500 hours behind the controls as the entire trip was planned in 3.8-square meter single seater cockpit. Piccard admits that before takeoff he has a pair of butterflies in his stomach because he was working on project for so long. As everyone know that Andre has worked on this project for 12 years, ie. From feasibility study to till now and this duration is more than natural, which he take the first step. Borschberg stated that Bertrand deserves to fly the last leg in project and to make the arrival in Abu Dhabi because he is about to complete his 15 ears long vision. However; the pair will split over ocean-flying duties as Borschberg will take on the Atlantic journey and Piccard will tackle the five-day, five-night over Pacific Ocean.
