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June 14, 2013 3:46 PM Text Size: A . A . A
What is so special about the airplane?
Solar Impulse is an airplane built from carbon fiber with the wingspan of a jumbo jet (210 feet), and it's as light as a small car. It is so energy-efficient that it can fly day and night without any fuel, the sun giving enough energy to simultaneously run the four electrical engines and load the batteries during the day in order to be able to fly through the night to the next sunrise and to continue on to the next day. Theoretically, it could fly forever. However, the cockpit has but a single seat, so it needs to land to switch pilots every 24 hours.
You are one of the founders of the company, together with Andr? Borschberg. How did you come up with the idea to create a solar-powered aircraft?
When I made the first nonstop around-the-world balloon flight in 1999, I took off with 3.7 tons of liquid propane and landed with only 80 pounds. This is the moment when I made the promise to fly around the world another time, but without any fuel. This is how the vision of Solar Impulse was born. When I submitted this vision to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, they decided to immediately launch a feasibility study, led by Andr?. This is how I met Andr?, and we decided to continue to run this project together. You are currently on a cross-country flight. How has the aircraft performed?
Originally this prototype was built only to fly over Switzerland for a complete day and night cycle to prove the validity of the concept. But it flew so well that we decided afterwards to also fly it over Europe and across the Mediterranean. The next level was, of course, to come to the USA. How has the public reacted?
All of the people who see this airplane [not] only congratulate us, but rather want to thank us for what we are doing. They explain that the world is full of depressing news, problems, and crises, whereas Solar Impulse brings hope, dreams, and technological solutions for the future, and they thank us for that. It's very touching, I have to say. Andr? and I take turns in the single-seater cockpit, but we each stay awake for 20 hours at each flight. We are kept awake by the privilege of being able to fly this very unique and revolutionary airplane, and also by our responsibility of carrying inside the cockpit the list of thousands of people who support us in our wish to promote clean technologies and renewable energy worldwide. You're gearing up for an around-the-world flight in 2015. What have you learned about this experience that will prepare you for that?
What we have learned during our across-America mission is mainly [how] to operate far away from our home base, to deal with different types of flights permissions for flying in appropriate airspace, airspace permissions, administration, air-traffic control, different meteorological conditions, and so on. Will you need to make any modifications to the aircraft for the 2015 flight?
The second Solar Impulse airplane for the 2015 around-the-world flight will have a bigger cockpit and an autopilot, so the pilot will be able to lie down and rest for about 20 minutes at a time. There will be a toilet and everything needed to be able to stay airborne for up to five or six days?for example, for the Pacific crossing. The wings will also be waterproof, so it will be able to fly through rain. What are the future applications of this technology?
The technologies we carry on board Solar Impulse, if they were massively used everywhere in the world, would allow to divide by two the energy consumption of our world and produce half of the rest with renewable sources. We have the best electrical engines, the best batteries, the lightest materials for the structure, the best insulation materials, the most efficient lighting system, and all this can be used to build houses and cars, and for lighting, cooling and heating systems everywhere.
The problem is the resistance of people against changes. Too many people are afraid of losing their habits and certitudes, so the introduction of clean technologies on the consumer market is far too long.
Do you envision this technology will change air travel?
I would be crazy to answer yes and stupid to answer no. Today the technology does not allow a solar airplane to transport many passengers, but don't forget it was also the case when the Wright Brothers or Charles Lindbergh were flying. The goal is not to revolutionize air transport. Our goal is to revolutionize the way people think about clean technologies, renewable energy, and energy saving. We need to show how the new technology can create jobs, make profits, sustain growth, and at the same time protect the environment. This is the goal of Solar Impulse. Do you consider yourself an innovator?
I consider myself mainly as a pioneer and an explorer. I love to explore new ways of doing and thinking outside of common assumptions, outside of the usual ways of thinking. I believe that when we stay in the old patterns of thinking, we are prevented from moving forward and having a better future. south dakota state long beach state beasley trailblazers michael beasley jermaine jones hbo luck
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