Swiss roll out pioneering solar-powered plane | MNN -...
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Swiss roll out pioneering solar-powered plane
Switzerland will be the first country to create a solar-powered plane capable of flying around the world.
By Agence France-Presse
Thu, Nov 05 2009
From the page: "Solar Impulse, the Swiss bid to make the first solar-powered flight around the world, rolled out its prototype on Friday at an airbase near Zurich.
The ultralight high-tech single seater with the wingspan of an Airbus A380 airliner was pushed out of its hangar ready for tests and a maiden flight over the coming weeks when weather conditions allow.
Solar Impulse staff said the slender craft, which only weighs as much as a medium-sized car (1,600 kilogrammes, 3,527 pounds), needs particularly clear conditions and less than a light breeze (three knots) for its first excursion in the air.
It is due to make a few airborne hops down the runway at the Dubendorf airbase before Dec. 20.
Switzerland will be the first country to create a solar-powered plane capable of flying around the world.
By Agence France-Presse
Thu, Nov 05 2009
From the page: "Solar Impulse, the Swiss bid to make the first solar-powered flight around the world, rolled out its prototype on Friday at an airbase near Zurich.
The ultralight high-tech single seater with the wingspan of an Airbus A380 airliner was pushed out of its hangar ready for tests and a maiden flight over the coming weeks when weather conditions allow.
Solar Impulse staff said the slender craft, which only weighs as much as a medium-sized car (1,600 kilogrammes, 3,527 pounds), needs particularly clear conditions and less than a light breeze (three knots) for its first excursion in the air.
It is due to make a few airborne hops down the runway at the Dubendorf airbase before Dec. 20.
