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Solar Impulse co-founder and pilot André Borschberg met five lucky UAE residents under the wings of Solar Impulse 2 (Si2), the first plane able to fly day and night powered solely by the sun.
The winners participated in a radio competition hosted by Dubai Eye, Star FM, Emarat FM, and Abu Dhabi Classic.
During Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, listeners were asked questions about Solar Impulse’s upcoming historic attempt to circumnavigate the globe without a drop of fuel and were prompted to send their answers via SMS.
The winners, accompanied by one friend, met Andre Borschberg, received limited edition signed Si2 merchandise, and explored the plane - a marvel of sustainable engineering.
Borschberg, Solar Impulse CEO and engineer by trade, explained to the winners that the single-seater solar aircraft with a wingspan of 72 meters, larger than that of the Boeing 747, weighing just 2,300 Kg, equivalent to that of a car, produces an aerodynamic performance and energy efficiency greater than any plane to date.
Under the wings of Si2, Borschberg explained that the 17,238 solar cells built into the wings supply four electric motors (17.5 CV each) with renewable energy. During the day, the solar cells recharge the lithium batteries which enable the aircraft to fly at night.
When asked about how he and his co-founder Bertrand Piccard will endure flights lasting up to 120 hours alone while crossing the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, Borschberg explained that the cabin is neither pressurized nor heated, which poses additional mental and physical challenges for the pilots. Both Piccard and Borschberg use meditation and yoga to briefly rest in-flight.
Abdallah Saif, a government relations professional in the emirate and one of the winners of the contest was greatly impressed by Solar Impulse 2. Abdallah remarked, “I cannot describe in words how inspired I am by this pioneering and unique project and the fact that its journey is beginning in the capital. Abu Dhabi is one of the first cities in the world to support solar energy, and therefore I believe that the future of the renewable energy industry in the UAE will be bright.
Solar Impulse is attempting the first round-the-world solar flight in 2015 and beginning and ending its 5 month historic journey in Abu Dhabi. The Solar Impulse team, hosted by Masdar, is conducting a series of test flights and community engagement events in the emirate ahead of its daring attempt set to take flight in March.
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