Solar Impulse Si2 (HB-SIB) Departs Kalaeloa

Photo by Jean Revilard | solarimpulse.com

After nine months inside Hangar 111 at Kalaeloa Airport-John Rodgers Field (JRF), the Solar Impulse Si2 (HB-SIB) with pilot Bertrand Piccard departed Thursday morning, April 21st, for Moffett Federal Airfield (NUQ) in Mountain View, California.

Solar Impulse is on its around the world flight flown with zero fuel to share the message of clean technologies. In July 2015, Solar Impulse, flown by André Borschberg arrived in Hawai‘i from Nagoya, Japan after crossing the Pacific in almost 5 days flight time. However, due overheating of the aircraft’s batteries that power Si2’s 4 engines during the flight, it was necessary to replace the damaged batteries and wait for favorable conditions across the Pacific.

Piccard who is the founder and initiator of the Solar Impulse project along with Borschberg - the project’s CEO, plan to continue across the United States to New York, cross the Atlantic, then Europe and continue on to Abu Dhabi, the starting point on Si2’s around the world journey. We wish the entire Solar Impulse team great success!

Pilot for the Hawai‘i - California crossing Bertrand Piccard with André Borschberg. 

Solar Impulse Si2 HB-SIB inside Kalaeloa's Hangar 111.

HB-SIB being pulled out to Runway 4R at Kalaeloa Airport (JRF).

HB-SIB along with André Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard receive a traditional Hawaiian blessing.

The Solar Impulse Si2 HB-SIB into the Hawaiian skies on her way to California.

Aloha Solar Impulse! Bonne Chance Bertrand Piccard!
Photo by Jean Revilard | solarimpulse.com

Solar Impulse 2 Departure Window Opens

The departure window for the "zero-fuel" Solar Impulse 2 opens today. The solar-powered aircraft has gone through numerous test flights with the new battery cells and cooling systems. Crews are looking four potential west coast landing sites (Phoenix, AZ; San Francisco-Bay Area; Los Angeles-SoCal Area; and Vancouver, BC).

Further information in this Solar Impulse 2 press release.


04.20.16 Update
Solar Impulse 2 plans to depart on April 21st at 0500HST (1500UTC).

Solar Impulse 2 Under Protective Covering

The Solar Impulse 2 now secured under protective covering inside Hangar 111 at Kalaeloa Airport (JRF). The solar powered aircraft will remain in Hawai‘i through the winter with test flights to occur in March 2016. Photo credit Solar Impulse | JRevillard | Rezo.ch

Solar Impulse 2 Delays To April 2016

The Solar Impulse 2 team announced early this morning that their round-the-world solar-powered flight quest will be delayed until April 2016, as the battery system needs to be replaced. It will remain at JRF's Hangar 111, under an agreement with the University of Hawai‘i and the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, until its ready for the next leg to Phoenix, AZ.


07.17.15 Update
The Volga-Dnepr Il76TD-90VD support aircraft, RA-76950 "Vladimir Kokkinaki", will depart JRF for YEG as VDA4494.

Solar Impulse 2 Delays Next Leg

The Solar Impulse 2 will delay its next leg to Phoenix, AZ, until early August, as a battery issue needs to be addressed. According to their most recent press release, during the leg from NKM to JRF, the batteries suffered overheating issues, and now some of the batteries need to be replaced, which could take up to three weeks to be done.

Close-up Views Of Solar Impulse 2 HB-SIB

After an historic and record breaking flight from Nagoya, Japan to Kalaeloa Hawaii, the Solar Impulse 2 flown by André Borschberg rests after a flight time of 4 Days, 21 Hours and 52 minutes without using a single drop of fuel.  The Solar Impulse 2 is sharing around the world the message of clean technologies and renewable energy with #futureisclean. Learn more about the initiative at solarimpulse.com and futureisclean.org. These photos were taken later in the morning of its arrival on July 3rd in Hangar 111.

SI2 arrival at JRF 3July2015

Solar Impulse 2

The Solar Impulse 2, HB-SIB (msn 001), made its historic landing at JRF at 0555HST. The solar-powered aircraft touched down on Runway 4R after a five-day-plus journey across the Pacific Ocean from NKM [Komaki Airport, Nagoya, Japan]. We were on hand for its early-morning arrival along with local, national and international members of the media. The historic aircraft made orbits over JRF prior to landing (top photo).

Team member NAugusta shot close-up video of the Solar Impulse 2, and an interview with both pilots during the press conference event later in the morning.

Pilot André Borschberg waves to the media, support crew, and on-lookers as the Solar Impulse 2 is pushed to the ramp fronting Hangar 111.

Hōkūle‘a Master Navigator Nainoa Thompson (right) greets pilots Bertrand Piccard (left) and André Borschberg, as one of the dignitaries greeting the Solar Impulse 2.

Pilots Piccard and Borschberg celebrate with a gold bottle of champagne and a wave, after Borschberg exited the cockpit.

The Solar Impulse 2 ground crew spun around the aircraft, and rolled it into Hangar 111 for its break in Hawai‘i.

Both pilots answer questions from reporters from around the globe.

Volga-Dnepr's RA-76950

Volga-Dnepr Airlines's RA-76950 "Vladimir Kokkinaki" (msn 2043420697) arrived at JRF today from NGO, as it is the support aircraft for the Solar Impulse 2 Zero Fuel Aircraft. The Il-76TD-90VD is making its flight as VDA4494.