Flying had the chance to catch up with the Solar Impulse team at Moffett Federal Airfield in Mountain View, California, where the Si2 landed after the final Pacific leg of its journey.
Check out these photos taken after the solar-powered airplane’s first landing in the mainland United States.
Si2 landed at the Moffett Federal Airfield, where the team set up its portable hangar next to the iconic Hangar One.Pia BergqvistHangar One, one of the largest freestanding structures in the world, makes the massive mobile Solar Impulse hangar look small.Pia BergqvistThe igloo-like hangar structure is built around the Si2’s 236-foot wingspan, approximately the same as a Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet.Pia BergqvistMore than 17,000 solar panels are mounted on top of the wings and fuselage of the Si2.Pia BergqvistThe Si2 has only one seat, and the pilot requires a large support crew on the ground. A big ladder is needed to get into the cockpit.Pia BergqvistSi2 has a sophisticated instrument panel and an autopilot, which allows the pilot to take short naps on the long flights.Pia BergqvistWith the Solar Impulse concept being so far out of the box, no aviation companies were willing to sign up as major sponsors of the project.Pia BergqvistSi2 is powered by four electric motors run by solar and battery power, allowing the airplane to fly day and night. The equipment attached to the motors cool the overworked batteries.Pia BergqvistWhile most components are operated by electrical systems, the landing gear is manually lowered by a hand crank near the aft part of the seat.Pia BergqvistAndré Borschberg said that after his record breaking five-day, four-night flight from Japan to the coast of Hawaii, he continued to fly through the night just for fun. He landed after 117 hours and 52 minutes in the air.Pia BergqvistThe seat was designed for long flights. It folds back completely so that the pilot can exercise and nap, and a flap in the seat lifts up to reveal a lavatory.Pia BergqvistThe fuselage has a welcoming message from one of its main sponsors Covestro, a supplier of high-tech polymer materials.Pia BergqvistBorschberg and Piccard both say the airplane takes a long time to respond to control inputs. The control surfaces of the airplane are massive.Pia BergqvistThe single, center mounted main landing gear makes landings a major challenge for the pilot.Pia BergqvistThe tail surface is both impressive in size and stunning all at the same time. It takes a lot of skill for the pilot to coordinate the controls of this massive airplane.Pia BergqvistThe mobile hangar is a remarkable structure that takes the ground crew 12 hours to set up.Pia Bergqvist
