Successful Tests Flights for Solar Impulse 2 in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi - February 26, 2015: Solar Impulse 2, the solar aircraft of Swiss pioneers Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, soared across the skies of Abu Dhabi during its first test flights in the emirate on Thursday.

With Piccard and Borschberg taking turns in the cockpit, the revolutionary single-seater sustainable aircraft will attempt the solar-powered flight around the world beginning this March from Abu Dhabi.  Si2, the first airplane able to fly day and night without a drop of fuel, has successfully completed its maiden flight in the capital.

For 4 hours, professional test pilot Markus Scherdel tested the aircraft's performance in the skies in the early morning.  Following the initial test flight, Solar Impulse co-founder, CEO, and pilot Andre´ Borschberg, took to the skies of Abu Dhabi with Si2 for a full day test flight. They soared above Abu Dhabi landmarks including Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Corniche and Eastern Mangroves .The initial results are in line with calculations and simulations. For pilots Piccard and Borschberg, and their team of engineers, the purpose of these first test flights in Abu Dhabi were to test the aircraft's performance and viability in a new environment with varied weather conditions. These flights were Si2'S first flights following the plane's disassembly in Switzerland and reassembly in the emirate. There are several additional test flights scheduled for the coming week in order for the team and the aircraft to prepare to circumnavigate the world.

Commenting on the test flights, Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, Director of Sustainability for Masdar, said, "Today, Solar Impulse 2's first test flights in Abu Dhabi mark a major milestone in the plane's preparation for its historic attempt to fly around the world. Masdar and the emirate share Solar Impulse's commitment to reinforcing the importance of innovation in achieving sustainable development. We are proud to host Solar Impulse as the team diligently prepares for their innovative endeavor that underscores the viable application of solar energy and clean technology," said Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany.

 "These first test flights in Abu Dhabi are an important stage - a step closer towards the impending round-the-world solar flight attempt. Moreover, these flights are an emotional step for the entire team that has worked diligently over the past 3 weeks to reassemble the aircraft. I am elated to report that the plane's performance is on par with our initial simulations. Si2 incorporates innovative technology to render the aircraft more efficient, reliable, sustainable and in particular, better adapted to long-haul flights. It is the first of its kind, an aircraft with perpetual endurance and now, we must ensure the sustainability of the pilot in-flight," remarked André Borschberg, Solar Impulse Co-founder, CEO and pilot.

Bertrand Piccard, Solar Impulse initiator, chairman, and pilot added; "Today, suspense filled the air! The results indicate that our team of engineers can be very proud of their successful reassembly of the aircraft and their efforts since the vision's inception 12 years ago. We're one step closer to our round-the-world attempt and one step closer to inspiring people across the world to be pioneers in their own lives."

The public can follow the adventure on a daily basis on www.solarimpulse.com, the primary web platform of the First Round-The-World Solar Flight.

Regular updates will be available on the following social media channels:

google.com/+solarimpulse, www.facebook.com/solarimpulse, www.twitter.com/solarimpulse 

Latest videos are available on www.youtube.com/SolarImpulseChannel.

Tagging @solarimpulse, using #solarimpulse, #RTW or linking to www.solarimpulse.com in any publication will allow Solar Impulse to push any content.

Information on Bertrand Piccard, the Chairman, Co-founder, and pilot is available on the following online platforms: www.bertrandpiccard.com, www.facebook.com/bertrandpiccard ,  www.twitter.com/bertrandpiccard.

Information on André Borschberg, the CEO, Co-founder, and pilot is available on the following online platforms: www.andreborschberg.com, www.facebook.com/andreborschberg, www.twitter.com/andreborschberg.

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You can download information, photographs and B-roll footage of Solar Impulse in the press section of the Solar Impulse website: press.solarimpulse.com
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Media Relations
Claudia Durgnat
M. +41 79 229 81 28
E. claudia.durgnat@solarimpulse.com

Masdar
E-mail: press@masdar.ae
Tel enquiries in Arabic: +971 2 653 3333
Tel enquiries in English: +971 2 653 6014

About Solar Impulse
Swiss pioneers Bertrand Piccard (President) and André Borschberg (CEO) are the founders, pilots and life force behind Solar Impulse, the first aircraft able to fly day and night without fuel or polluting emissions - the aircraft with which they will attempt the first solar flight around the world this year. Supported by partners Solvay, Omega, Schindler, ABB, Google, Altran, Bayer Material Science, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions and Swisscom amongst others, Solar Impulse is a history making attempt in the world of exploration and the world of renewable energy. Solar Impulse is also an airborne laboratory, making way for innovative technological solutions capable of meeting today's challenges head on. And it is a vision which drives each one of us to become a pioneer on a day-to-day basis.

With 8 world records for the original Solar Impulse prototype, the first solar-powered aircraft to carry out a nighttime flight, the team have constructed a new single-seater aircraft made of carbon fiber. It has a 72 meter wingspan (larger than that of the Boeing 747) for a weight of just 2,300 Kg, equivalent to that of a car. The 17,248 solar cells built into the wing supply four electric motors (17.5 CV each) with renewable energy. During the day, the solar cells recharge lithium batteries weighing 633 Kg which allow the aircraft to fly at night and therefore to have virtually unlimited autonomy.

For more information on Solar Impulse, go to: www.solarimpulse.com and connect on: facebook.com/solarimpulse​, twitter.com/solarimpulse and google.com/+solarimpulse​ 

About Masdar
Masdar is Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company which works to advance the development, commercialization and deployment of clean energy technologies and solutions. The company serves as a link between today's fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future. Wholly owned by the Mubadala Development Company PJSC, the strategic investment company of the Government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the Emirates' long-term vision for the future of energy and water.

For more information please visit: http://www.masdar.ae and connect: facebook.com/masdar.ae twitter.com/masdar 

© Press Release 2015