SECOND CHANCES: SOLAR IMPULSE MAKES NEW BID TO CROSS PACIFIC

Solar-Powered Plane Back on Track and Headed for Hawaii

At last the weather gods are smiling on team Solar Impulse as the solar powered plane is finally in the air. Pilot André Borschberg took off from Nagoya Airfield in Japan just after 18.00 GMT on Sunday and all going to plan will land in Hawaii in approx 120 hours. According to the Solar Impulse website, “Andre Borschberg has passed the point of no return and must now see this 5 days 5 nights flight through to the end.”

If something does go wrong at this stage, Mr. Borschberg will have to bail out and wait for rescuers to come and scoop him out of the ocean. Hopefully this won’t happen and he makes it to Hawaii safe and sound. If his mission is successful, it will be the longest-duration solo flight ever. The five day, five night trip is no cup of tea as the pilot will remain strapped to his seat for the entire journey, only resting for periods of 20 minutes. All the same, the Swiss pilot will undoubtedly be happy to finally be in the air, having suffered several setbacks in June due to bad weather conditions. We hope things go smoother for team Solar Impulse from here on in.