Across America Mission: longest flight world record to be submitted to FAI for ratification
The solar-powered airplane Solar Impulse, which departed on 22 May from Phoenix (Arizona), reached Dallas (Texas) yesterday morning, thus achieving a flight that might prove to be the longest flight (Straight distance, pre-declared waypoints) ever made with 1’541 km.
With this performance André Borschberg, who piloted the plane in the second of five legs of the Across America Mission, would supersede the record he himself established in 2012 (see below).
All the data from the loggers must be now be provided to the American National Aeronautics Association by the Solar Impulse team which has 7 days to send a preliminary record claim to the FAI. Observers from the FAI Amateur Built and Experimental Aircraft Commission (CIACA) were present in Dallas and at the Observation Centre in Payerne, Switzerland to collect the flight information. The Observers included CIACA President Alfons Hubmann.
Update (29.05.2013):
The FAI received the following preliminary record claims:
| SUB-CLASS | TYPE OF RECORD | PERFORMANCE | DATE | CLAIMANT | STATUS | ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | Distance along a course, pre-declared waypoints - General | 1487.6 km | 2013-05-23 | André Borschberg (SUI) | preliminary record claim received | 16816 |
| CS | Free Distance - General | 1506.5 km | 2013-05-23 | André Borschberg (SUI) | preliminary record claim received | 16817 |
| CS | Straight distance, pre-declared waypoints - General | 1386.5 km | 2013-05-23 | André Borschberg (SUI) | preliminary record claim received | 16815 |
Flight Report: Phoenix Sky Harbor – Dallas-Fort Worth
Pilot: André Borschberg, co-founder and CEO
Take-off time: May 22, 2013 04:47 AM MST (UTC-7)
Time of landing: May 23, 2013 01:08 AM CDT (UTC-5)
Flight duration: 18h21 min
Average ground speed: 84 km/h (45,3 kt)
Highest altitude reached: 8’230 m (27’000 feet)
Flight Distance: 1’541 km (832 NM)
Across America Mission
3 May 2013: First leg San Francisco/Moffett Airfield – Phoenix/Sky Harbor
22 May 2013: Second leg Phoenix/Sky Harbor – Dallas/Fort Worth
End May – Early June 2013: Third leg Dallas/Fort Worth – St. Louis/Lambert Airport
Mid June 2013: Fourth leg St. Louis/Lambert Airport – Washington DC/Dulles
Early July 2013: Fifth and last leg Washington DC/Dulles – New York/JFK
Fly with us in the cockpit
The Solar Impulse team has set up a programme called "Fly with us in the cockpit" to create an influential global movement to promote the use of clean technology. Anyone can have their name carried in the cockpit of the solar airplane flying across the United States and show their support for clean technology.
Solar Impulse world records
| SUB-CLASS | TYPE OF RECORD | PERFORMANCE | DATE | CLAIMANT | STATUS | ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | Absolute altitude | 9235 m | 2010-07-08 | André Borschberg (SUI) | ratified - current record | 16042 |
| CS | Duration | 26 h 10 m 19 s | 2010-07-08 | André Borschberg (SUI) | ratified - current record | 16044 |
| CS | Gain of height | 8744 m | 2010-07-08 | André Borschberg (SUI) | ratified - current record | 16043 |
| CS | Straight distance, pre-declared waypoints | 1099.3 km | 2012-05-25 | André Borschberg (SUI) | ratified - current record | 16558 |
Photo credit: Rezo | Solar Impulse | Polaris
