Solar Impulse’s maiden flight a success
The maiden flight of the experimental aircraft Solar Impulse HB-SIA has taken place, marking the beginning of the flight test programme.
The aircraft climbed up to 1,200m at Payerne airport in Switzerland, and reached a speed of 28 miles per hour. Test pilot Markus Scherdel spent the 87 minute flight familiarising himself with the prototype’s flight behaviour and performing the initial flight exercises, before making the first landing. The execution of these various manoeuvres (turns, simulating the approach phase) was designed to get a feel for the aircraft and verify its controllability. “The HB-SIA behaved just as the flight simulator told us,” he said. “Despite its immense size and feather weight, the aircraft’s controllability matches our expectations.”
