Solar Impulse Schedules Stop in Cincinnati

In order to overcome challenging weather and keep to its cross-continent flight schedule, the solar powered aircraft of Swiss pioneers Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, Solar Impulse, will briefly touch down in Cincinnati to change pilots in a new strategy for its fourth Across America leg scheduled to begin Friday, June 14 from St. Louis, Mo.

 

The flight will be split in two because strong cross and head winds would slow the aircraft and make it impossible for the pilot to reach the nation’s capital in one go in less than 24 hours, which is the limit set for the pilot in the cramped single-seat cockpit. André Borschberg will pilot the first half of the flight from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport to Cincinnati Municipal Lunken Airport. After a short stopover in Cincinnati, Bertrand Piccard will do the second half of the leg to land at Washington D.C. Dulles International Airport on Sunday, June 16, sometime after midnight.

 

Among the challenges they will encounter are strong cross winds, that will make the aircraft drift sideways for much of the flight, heavy air traffic and crossing the Appalachian mountains, with peaks of up to 6562ft (2000m).

Although the flight has been confirmed, the flight director may still decide to postpone it or alter the route shortly before take-off. Keep up to date with the latest news here.

 

Tentative Schedule:

 

Friday, June 14