Flying now has become a routine, with air travel as commonplace as catching a train. But the feat of Abu Dhabi-based Solar Impulse 2 is enough to make you stop and wonder for a moment, to appreciate just what the team has achieved.
For five straight days and nights, the solar-powered aircraft flew non-stop from Nagoya in Japan to Hawaii — completing the potentially perilous journey without using a single drop of fuel. The achievement marks a milestone for aviation, comparable to those achieved by the Spirit of St Louis or by Alcock and Brown in 1919. More importantly, perhaps, the feat is a milestone for renewable energy, showing the potential of the sun’s power and that the challenges of distance and risk can succumb to green energy.
It will take many more weeks before Solar Impulse 2 arrives home in Abu Dhabi. The crew estimated that there are still 390 hours of flying time left and the leg from Hawaii to continental US will require 100 straight hours in the air. But already, the project is a success. All involved should be beaming with pride.
