Solar Impulse Lands in NYC

Solar Impulse – the solar-powered airplane of Swiss pioneers Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg – has successfully landed at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. For the first time, a plane capable of flying day and night powered exclusively by solar energy has crossed the United States from the West to the East Coasts.

 

André Borschberg, Solar Impulse co-founder and CEO, landed Solar Impulse at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sunday, July 6 at 11:09 p.m. EDT, three hours earlier than planned because of a rip in the fabric on the lower side of the left wing. The flight took 18h 23min with a departure from Washington Dulles at 04:46 a.m. EDT on Saturday.

 

“This last leg was especially difficult due to the damage of the fabric on the left wing [see image below]. It obliged the team to envisage all the possible scenarios, including bailing out over the Atlantic. But this type of problem is inherent to every experimental endeavor. In the end, this didn’t prevent us from succeeding in our Across America mission and provided an invaluable learning experience in preparation for the round-the-world tour in 2015,” André Borschberg said shortly after landing, adding “we extend our gratitude to all airport and government authorities whose precious support made this mission possible.”

 

The arrival of Solar Impulse in New York City marks the culmination of its ambitious journey across America, which started May 3 in San Francisco, Calif. The journey took a total of 105h 41min and 3,511 miles flown at an average speed of 28.8kt. 

 

“Flying coast-to-coast has always been a mythical milestone full of challenges for aviation pioneers. During this journey, we had to find solutions for a lot of unforeseen situations, which obliged us to develop new skills and strategies. In doing so, we also pushed the boundaries of clean technologies and renewable energies to unprecedented levels,” says Dr. Bertrand Piccard, Solar Impulse Initiator, chairman and pilot.

 

A news conference with Solar Impulse mission partners is scheduled for Monday, July 8 at noon at John F. Kennedy International Airport. On Tuesday, July 9 at 9:30 a.m., Solar Impulse pilots and co-founders, Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, will visit the NASDAQ MarketSite in Times Square and ring the Opening Bell. 

 

On Tuesday, July 9 at 4 p.m., Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg will speak at Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Chamber in presence of UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, and Ambassador of Switzerland to the United Nations, Paul Seger. 

 

Solar Impulse Open House - Public Visits will be organized at the Solar Impulse hangar at JFK on Saturday, July 13 from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, July 14 from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.