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Solar Impulse Announces Flight Across America For 2013
cylonlover writes "Flush with success from their 6,000-km (3,728-mile) Europe-to-Africa round-trip flight earlier this year, the duo behind the Solar Impulse solar-powered aircraft are now planning on flying it across America next spring. It will mark the first time that a solar-powered plane has traversed the country. Solar Impulse partners Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg made the official announcement this Tuesday, although the logistics of the flight have yet to be finalized. They have stated that the trip will be broken into 20-hour legs, starting at San Francisco and proceeding to New York City. As with their previous multi-leg flights, the two pilots will take turns flying the aircraft." You can read about it straight from the doers, too.
I wish they would check their facts before claiming the first solar flight across the US. In 1990 Eric Raymond flew his Sunseeker solar powered airplane across the US from west to east coast (with multiple stops), but nevertheless 22 years ago. His latest effort is a two place advanced solar powered airplane based on a custom Stemme sailplane fuselage with solar wing and empennage, called Sunseeker Duo. His website is www.solar-flight.com
You're aware that the sun still shines above the clouds? You may be getting drenched, but 2000 feet up, it's likely a clean sunshiny day. If not - try 3000 feet. Still not happy? Climb some more.
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