Solar Impulse Across America

[jpbernoux]

I am surprised and, as an EAA member active in building and participant to a local EAA chapter, disappointed by the apparent lack of interest from EAA (and AOPA for that matter) regarding the historic flight across America by a solar powered plane built and flown by Bertrand Piccard. If anything, Solar Impulse epitomizes Experimental Aviation at its best. And this is just a beginning as the current Solar Impulse is a test bed for a two seater designed to fly around the world in 2015. Could anyone in this forum or from EAA headquarters explain to me the reason of this apparent disdain?

[Bill Berson]

What is this aircraft built to demonstrate other than it can be done?
Others have built solar powered aircraft for much less than $100 million.
I think the energy consumed to make a hundred million dollars worth of carbon fiber could be equal to the total lifetime supply of 1000 people. Just because it flies with no onboard fuel in flight doesn't mean no fuel was used to make it.
How is this "green". How can this be called the future of personal or commercial flight?

[Hal Bryan]

I am surprised and, as an EAA member active in building and participant to a local EAA chapter, disappointed by the apparent lack of interest from EAA (and AOPA for that matter) regarding the historic flight across America by a solar powered plane built and flown by Bertrand Piccard. If anything, Solar Impulse epitomizes Experimental Aviation at its best. And this is just a beginning as the current Solar Impulse is a test bed for a two seater designed to fly around the world in 2015. Could anyone in this forum or from EAA headquarters explain to me the reason of this apparent disdain?


We've covered this airplane several times. No disdain here!

[jpbernoux]

We've covered this airplane several times. No disdain here!

I see, great sense of humor in EAA staff despite the NIH syndrome!
BTW, I withdraw what I said about AOPA, they have posted a nice story about the Dallas to St. Louis flight on the AOPA news here (http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2013/June/4/Solar-Impulse-reaches-St-Louis-on-zero-fuel.aspx?WT.mc_id=&wtmcid;&WT.mc_sect=gan).
... I presume that seeing Solar Impulse in Oshkosh (where it rightfully belongs) is just a pipe dream?

[Hal Bryan]

I presume that seeing Solar Impulse in Oshkosh (where it rightfully belongs) is just a pipe dream?

As for seeing Solar Impulse here in Oshkosh, I know we'd love to! When we first spoke to them around the time they were announcing the cross-country flight, there two problems: First, they'd told us at that point that they expected the flight to be finished before Oshkosh. Second, they needed a hangar big enough to accommodate an airplane with a 208' wingspan and we don't have such a thing.

Since those early discussions, a couple of things have happened: First, I know they've come up with a mobile, inflatable hangar that they've just been using for the first time in St. Louis. Second, they've just reached back out to us (within the last day or so, as I understand it) and said "let's talk about Oshkosh."

If we can work it out, we think the airplane would be a fascinating and welcome addition.

[Jim Hann]

That would be really cool. I'm at work in Alaska right now and so I'm missing its visit to my hometown!

[jpbernoux]

As for seeing Solar Impulse here in Oshkosh, I know we'd love to! When we first spoke to them around the time they were announcing the cross-country flight, there two problems: First, they'd told us at that point that they expected the flight to be finished before Oshkosh. Second, they needed a hangar big enough to accommodate an airplane with a 208' wingspan and we don't have such a thing.

Since those early discussions, a couple of things have happened: First, I know they've come up with a mobile, inflatable hangar that they've just been using for the first time in St. Louis. Second, they've just reached back out to us (within the last day or so, as I understand it) and said "let's talk about Oshkosh."

If we can work it out, we think the airplane would be a fascinating and welcome addition.


Glad to hear that Hal, and I really do hope things will work as it is in the interest of both parties. In addition, if it works I will be able to pretend that my posting has to do with it! :D

[Hal Bryan]

In addition, if it works I will be able to pretend that my posting has to do with it! :D

Okay, but if it doesn't work out, does that mean it's partly your fault? ;)

[jpbernoux]

Okay, but if it doesn't work out, does that mean it's partly your fault? ;)

OK Hal, I will take the blame... for a free pass to Osh!

[ifly1848v]

EAA Radio will be recording an interview with these fine folks in a few weeks. We will also have on the air them during AirVenture 13, regardless whether they have the aircraft on display. On a personal note, I'd love to see it in person!

[FlyingRon]

Solar Impulse is scheduled to arrive in DC next week (for Margy's pilot day event at the Smithsonian) and then head to New York where it will be disassembled and shipped back home. Oshkosh just looks like it was at the wrong time.

[Roger Janssens]

As for seeing Solar Impulse here in Oshkosh, I know we'd love to! When we first spoke to them around the time they were announcing the cross-country flight, there two problems: First, they'd told us at that point that they expected the flight to be finished before Oshkosh. Second, they needed a hangar big enough to accommodate an airplane with a 208' wingspan and we don't have such a thing.

Since those early discussions, a couple of things have happened: First, I know they've come up with a mobile, inflatable hangar that they've just been using for the first time in St. Louis. Second, they've just reached back out to us (within the last day or so, as I understand it) and said "let's talk about Oshkosh."

If we can work it out, we think the airplane would be a fascinating and welcome addition.

I saw Solar Impulse fly over and land at Brussels on its first international flight, and have been interested in it ever since. It really is an amazing sight to behold (the wingspan is much wider than you'd imagine, even if you know the size).
When they announced their flight across the US, I thought a visit to Oshkosh afterwards would be a given. Not just because Oshkosh is a place that celebrates historic achievements, but also because it looks ahead through all the focus on innovation. So I'm hoping that it will be possible to bring Solar Impulse over. And as you've said, Hal, now that they have their own hangar: wouldn't it be possible to erect that over on the 'hot' side, as it doesn't look like there will be any military aircraft using that ramp this year?