...applying new technologies to save nature

Thousands of spectators from all over Switzerland viewed the Solar Impulse HB-SIA slowly climb up to 1200 metres on April 7, 2010. The next 87 minutes Solar Impulse test pilot Markus Scherdel spent familiarising himself with the prototype’s flight behaviour and performing the initial flight exercises before making the first landing on the Vaudois tarmac. The execution of these various manoeuvres (turns, simulating the approach phase) was designed to get a feel for the aircraft and verify its controllability.

According to the company, the first mission was the most risky phase of the entire project and culminated after seven years of research, testing and perseverance. Never has an airplane as large and light ever flown before. The aim was to verify the prototype’s behaviour in flight and test its reaction to various manoeuvres.