Payerne, Switzerland: Today,Solar Impulse 2, the second single-seater solar aircraft of Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg designed to take up the challenge of the first round-the-world solar flight, without any fuel in 2015, carried out its eighteenth test flight out of the Payerne aerodrome in Switzerland. The plane flew at a high altitude. There will be several other test flights taking place in the coming months in order for this experimental machine to attain certification. They will be followed by training flights of Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg later in the season still from Payerne airfield. The attempt to make the first round-the-world solar-powered flight is scheduled to start in March 2015 from Gulf area. Solar Impulse will fly, in order, over the Arabian Sea, India, Myanmar, China, the Pacific Ocean, the United States, the Atlantic Ocean and Southern Europe or North Africa before closing the loop by returning to the departure point. Landings will be made every few days to change pilots and organize public events for governments, schools and universities.
Green aviation is climbing to new heights. From the amazing flight of the Solar Impulse 2 to the use of biofuels, there is an effort being made to curb the industry’s impact on the environment.
A Start with Solar Impulse 2
Aviation enthusiasts and much of the world followed the Solar Impulse 2 as it completed its historic five-day, non-stop flight over the Pacific Ocean. Last week, the experimental solar-powered airplane finished its most treacherous portion of its journey around the world. In the process it crushed the record for the longest duration solo flight without refueling of 118 hours. The BBC reported that Swiss pilot André Borschberg, 62-year-old CEO of the Solar Impulse project spent the week in the cramped cockpit of his aircraft, sleeping for only 20-minute stretches at a time.
It was an incredible milestone for the fuel-free aircraft’s journey from Japan to Hawaii. It was also the longest solo manned flight in history. It doesn’t mean that commercial solar-powered flight is going to happen tomorrow but it’s on its way.
Climate Change, Biofuels and Better Planes
Climate change is an issue and that’s why airlines and aircraft manufacturers are building solutions and greener alternatives. It is estimated that aircraft emissions make up five percent of all greenhouse gases that are deposited directly into the upper atmosphere. Experts say that number could grow so the following efforts are a positive trend.
–United Airlines announced it would invest $30 million in a program that would produce jet fuel from trash. Fulcrum BioEnergy specializes in producing both aviation and diesel fuel from ordinary household waste. The California-based company committed to produce up to 180 million gallons of this fuel per year. The U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Agriculture supported the program concluding that it has met “all of the aviation industry and military technical requirements and specifications.”
– Virgin Atlantic has switched to more efficient aircraft. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner cut its carbon intensity while increasing profitability. According to Virgin, the company’s level of carbon dioxide emissions per mile dropped was down 10 percent from 2007 levels.
-At the Paris Air Show there was a special focus on green issues, according to Discovery News. Airbus revealed a prototype all-electric plane called the E-Fan. The European company also announced that its Airbus A320neo offers a 15 percent cut in fuel consumption. The plane has racked up a record 3,800 pre-orders as a result.
There’s no doubt that the Solar Impulse 2 showed the world what is possible with forward aviation thinking and a bit of courage. In combination with the latest efforts, is there more to be done to promote and push green aviation?
