Solar Impulse Pacific Ocean Crossing

[Nicolas_Fantich]

Record breaking aeronautical stuff happening right under our noses, with live streaming from the cockpit with comms also.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/ ... by-the-sun

http://www.solarimpulse.com/

Live streaming:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=9164&v=HAw-pUBLzvc

[Graeme H]

Here's hoping for clear skies and lots of sunshine

[Adam the Akrodude]

Vey cool Nicolas! Interesting to note the altitude it flies at - up to FL270! I noted the pilot wearing a oxy mask in flight. It must be bloody cold up there in a unpressurised cockpit - heaps of electricity at least to power thermal heaters in his flying suit! I'm guessing that it cruises anywhere between FL100 and FL270 to maximise tail wind assistance (guided by the ground team no doubt) and to improve ground speed with altitude. It's cruise speed is very low, so any assistance via wind and altitude would help greatly! Saw on the news the biggest fear by the pilot is being electrocuted if he has to ditch in the sea!

Fascinating stuff!

Cheers

Adam