Solar plane lands in Ariz., 1st leg of major trip

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By BOB SEAVEY and SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN

PHOENIX (AP) - Alone in the single-seat cockpit and high above the American Southwest, pilot Bertrand Piccard could hear only his plane's gear box and the quiet whine of four electric motors. No noisy jet engines.

He's flying Solar Impulse, considered the world's most advanced sun-powered plane.

Piccard piloted the craft for 20 hours, first cruising along the California coast after taking off from Moffett Field in Mountain View near San Francisco just after dawn Friday. He passed over Edwards Air Force Base, where other aviation milestones have been made, and then touched down early Saturday morning at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

He landed having used only three-quarters of the plane's battery power.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20130504/DA62O5AG0.html

---

Solar Impulse co-founder, pilot and CEO Andre Borschberg, left, greets pilot Bertrand Piccard at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, early Saturday, May 4, 2013, after completing the first leg of its coast-to-coast flights across the United States. It is the first time that a solar airplane capable of flying day and night without fuel, will attempt to fly across America. Solar Impulse began its journey Friday in San Francisco in its attempt to reach New York. (AP Photo/Scuteri)

[NaturalHigh]

1. Very cool.

I've wondered for a long time when something like this would be possible.

[Gregorian]

2. When the first electric helicopter flies I'll get excited.

But I'll admit I almost wish I still owned my Sunnyvile house where I could climb up in the atrium and watch experimental aircraft fly out of Moffett.

[presscac]

3. Got tix

Will be seeing this tomorrow. . . At PHX airport . . .Watched the Solar Impulse land at http://www.solarimpulse.com/

[tofuandbeer]

4. AWESOME!!!

[burrowowl]

5. Good Job!