Solar Impulse plane took off this morning 5/3

My problem with the Solar Impulse is that it doesn't break any new ground in any way shape or form. They slapped on solar panels to a ridiculously proportioned glider with severe limitations. Plus, they wasted jet fuel to bring it over for the flight.

Something groundbreaking would be an airplane utilizing hybrid technology.
 
He just crossed over into generating more than consuming on the power and solar status.
 
seattlepilot said:
My problem with the Solar Impulse is that it doesn't break any new ground in any way shape or form. They slapped on solar panels to a ridiculously proportioned glider with severe limitations. Plus, they wasted jet fuel to bring it over for the flight.

Something groundbreaking would be an airplane utilizing hybrid technology.
Click to expand...

Airplanes don't stop and start like a car in city traffic...
 
He just called the inland valley of CA the 'desert'. Ha, wait till you get over the Sierras.
 
Sounds like Stephen Hawking is flying it.
 
AirDC said:
Thats a pretty slick website.
Click to expand...

Actually, it's a candidate for webpagesthatsuck. It's one off the most poorly constructed and frustrating to use I've seen in a long time.
 
docmirror said:
http://live.solarimpulse.com/

Some inflight telemetry as well.
Click to expand...

We were vectored around him en route from OAK to HHR this morning. There's a lot of wing on that puppy!

He made a phone call in flight, and the military stood down to let him cross the Lemoore MOAs. It was funny listening to him explain to Oakland Center that, no, the MOAs were no LONGER hot, as he'd just made a phone call on his satellite phone.

The controller checked, and then cleared him into the MOA...

Gotta ask the guy for that phone number!

Paul
 
PaulMillner said:
We were vectored around him en route from OAK to HHR this morning. There's a lot of wing on that puppy!

He made a phone call in flight, and the military stood down to let him cross the Lemoore MOAs. It was funny listening to him explain to Oakland Center that, no, the MOAs were no LONGER hot, as he'd just made a phone call on his satellite phone.

The controller checked, and then cleared him into the MOA...

Gotta ask the guy for that phone number!
Click to expand...

It has about the same wingspan as a 747. I got to see it in the hangar at Moffett a week or two ago. A very impressive piece of engineering!
 
I am not sure if they are lost or what. I wonder if they can land in Japan and fix their telemetry.
I think this is a pretty cool idea. They are somewhere over the Sea of Japan. They said something about the 40th parellel. It looks like they have power, but it sounds like the pilot is fatigued.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top