Solar plane debuts with eye on world trip

Published June 3, 2014
A German test pilot lands the experimental aircraft  ‘Solar Impulse 2’ after its first flight at an air base here on Monday.— Photo by AFP
A German test pilot lands the experimental aircraft ‘Solar Impulse 2’ after its first flight at an air base here on Monday.— Photo by AFP

PAYERNE: A sun-powered plane made a successful test flight on Monday, clearing a vital hurdle towards its goal of a round-the-world trip next year, its pilot and mission chiefs said.

‘Solar Impulse 2’ carried out a flight lasting two hours and 15 minutes, half an hour longer than scheduled, German test pilot Markus Scher­del said. “Everything worked as expected,” Scherdel told a press conference at an air base in Payerne, Swi­tzerland. “ ... it’s a good start and I’m looking forward to flying the aeroplane the next time.”

Built from carbon fibre, the 2.3-tonne plane has four electrical motors powered by solar cells.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2014

Opinion

Editorial

Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...
Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.