The Solar Impulse 2, which will attempt the first around-the-world solar flight next month, successfully completed a 12-hour test flight above Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
The 72 meter aircraft flew at low altitudes above Abu Dhabi for 12 hours Thursday, piloted by Andre Borschberg.
"These first test flights in Abu Dhabi are an important stage - a step closer towards the impending round-the-world solar flight attempt. I am elated to report that the plane's performance is on par with our initial simulations,” Borschberg told Arabian Business .
The team is expected to launch its around-the-world journey in the next few days. The flight will begin in Abu Dhabi and cross the globe over the next five months .
The pilots will rotate, flying for five to six days at a time, for a total of 25 flight days over the five months. During the extended pit stops, people will be able to visit the plane and team.
While this isn’t the first solar plane, nor the first around-the-world journey by a plane, it is the first combination of the two. The plane carries no fuel, and its 17,000 solar cells are the only source of energy for the four engines. The solar cells also charge 633 kilograms of lithium batteries, allowing night-time flying.
The first flight in the journey will be short - just a hop over to Muscat - but could happen as early as Sunday.