Two Swiss pioneers have made history

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26.07.2016
Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg

Today, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, have successfully landed in Abu Dhabi after circumnavigate the globe with their zero-emission electric and solar airplane (Si2). They covered over 40’000 km in 23 days. Si2 has proven that clean technologies can achieve the impossible.

Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg had a mission: to fly around the globe in an electric airplane powered only by the sun and capable of flying many days and nights in a row without fuel. Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg have flown Si2 around the world in 17 legs, crossing Asia, the Pacific Ocean, the USA, the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the Middle East. André Borschberg accomplished the pioneering first of flying five consecutive days and nights over the Pacific Ocean from Japan to Hawaii in the longest duration an airplane of any kind has ever flown and when Bertrand Piccard achieved the historic first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in a solar airplane.

“This is not only a first in the history of aviation; it is before all a first in the history of energy. I am sure that within 10 years we will see electric airplanes transporting 50 passengers on short to medium haul flights. But it is not enough. The same clean technologies used on Solar Impulse could be implemented on the ground in our daily life to divide by the CO2 emissions in a profitable way. Solar Impulse is only the beginning, now take it further! ” said Initiator, Chairman and Pilot Bertrand Piccard addressing the crowd while exiting the cockpit of Si2.

“Flying one leg with a completely new type of airplane is difficult enough, but flying around the world is a real challenge. More than a demonstration, it is the confirmation that these technologies are truly dependable and reliable,” emphasized CEO, Co-Founder and also Pilot André Borschberg. “There is so much potential for the aeronautical world: while one hundred percent solar powered airplanes might take longer to materialize, electric airplanes will develop in the near future because of their tremendous advantages such as energy efficiency.”

Great potential for clean technology
The two pilots have accomplished a dream that many experts considered impossible. They have proven that renewable energies and efficient technologies offer tangible solutions for sustainability. They will continue urge the global implementation of energy efficient solutions through the creation of the International Committee for Clean Technologies and leverage the expertise and technology gained over the years in Solar Impulse by launching new innovative projects, such as the development of solar powered drones.

“We have flown 40’000 kilometres around the world without fuel, but there is still a lot to be done to encourage a worldwide implementation of clean technologies and to motivate everyone to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels in their daily lives, hence the creation of the International Committee for Clean Technologies,” emphasized Bertrand Piccard.

Vice President of Switzerland Doris Leuthard welcomed this extraordinary accomplishment with a message of optimism for the international community: “Solar Impulse is an idea born in Switzerland and has shown the world that by investing in innovation and sustainable clean energies, all our dreams can come true. Let us follow on this great success by good implementation.”

(RAN)

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