I was honored to have the opportunity to witness, with my own eyes, the entirely solar-powered prototype take-off from the military airport in Payerne and conquer the Helvetian skies.

These tests are not only essential to prepare the pilots for the strenuous conditions they are exposed to during flights, but are also necessary to trial all the multimedia technology that Solar Impulse will use during the flight to Rabat, Morocco, planned for some time this month. The tests are proving to be successful, which is good news for you as everybody will be able to follow either André or Bertrand on Twitter, Facebook or Live Steam directly from our website.

After a quick briefing at 4:30am, each one of the 8 members of the ground crew swiftly took their positions and, in silence, began to skillfully handle the aircraft. Once the cockpit was set, the batteries plugged-in, and the motor started, “Mad Max”, an endearing name given to the HB-SIA transporter crane, cautiously rolled-out the aircraft onto the runway.

It was quite an impressive sight. Imagine a ballerina-like silhouette practically eclipsed by a remarkable set of overbearing wings: a wingspan so large (63,40m) in comparison to its compact body (21,85m) that each extremity must be sustained by a member of the ground crew with a set of skids (wing handles) during rollout.

The muffled whispers of the ground crew as they freed the prototype from “Mad Max’s” solid grip were practically overshadowed by the jovial spring birds’ chirps. Maybe it was the lack of sleep or simply the extraordinary nature of the situation, but it all felt surreal: sunrise versus a full moon, the pungent odor of natural fertilizer versus the stunning rural landscape, and, in the midst of it all, a solar airplane ready to defy, once again, the prejudices of its skeptics.

As Bertrand gained his position in the cockpit and the security run-ups were satisfactorily completed, the ground crew retracted to their positions behind the aircraft. Just seconds after the propellers began stirring; the HB-SIA was thrust forward and, in less than 150m, gained the dawning skies.

Don’t forget to stay tuned as the adventure will soon begin at Solar Impulse!

Indeed, the entirely solar-powered airplane was expected to disregard Labor Day and work full-time on 1 May 2012. Yet, despite the prototype’s anxious wait for a chance to sail through new atmospheres, the weather has organized a strike. Nothing to panic, however: the challenge of completing the longest flight yet is still on our radar and I bet you’re all dying to know when the moment to drop everything else and glue ourselves to the computer screens will come!

Here’s some information:

• The recent bad weather has delayed Bertrand Piccard’s final high altitude training.
• After this flight, the aircraft will need to undergo a last maintenance and security checks prior to departure.
• Once the conditions satisfy the safety guidelines, Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg will alternately pilot the aircraft from Payerne (Switzerland) to Rabat (Kingdom of Morocco) with a scheduled technical stop in Madrid (Spain). The HB-SIA might even take on the invitation from the King of Morocco to fly to the construction site of what will be the world’s biggest and most innovative solar park in the world, located in Ouarzazate.

I also wanted to use this occasion to introduce myself: my name is Viktoria Dijakovic and I will be the new Editor and Blogger for the project. I always had the passion for innovation, particularly in the fields of sustainable development and environmental awareness, and it therefore seemed to be the best combination to do what I enjoy most (writing) while acting as a spokesperson for this incredible project.

As soon as the winds change and the HB-SIA is pampered for the occasion, the first people to be informed will be members of our Supporters Program. If you’re already one of them, then just sit back and relax as the adventure will keep you on your toes soon enough. However, if you’re not yet a member but wish to be in the loop, this is your chance to sign up for the free Friend status! It’s an easy way to be ahead of the news and to keep informed about exciting developments of the project (to find out more about our different options:Supporters Program).

This spring, Solar Impulse will attempt another world first by flying more than 2,500 km, without using a drop of fuel, and landing in Morocco. This trip will coincide with the launch of construction in the region of Ouarzazate of the largest thermo-solar power plant ever built.

In May or June, Solar Impulse will take off on this trip, its longest ever, flying over the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean. Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg will take turns to fly the aircraft on its 48-hour journey, with a scheduled intermediate stop near Madrid to change pilots.

This long duration flight will act as a dress rehearsal for the round-the-world flight in 2014.  It will also allow the Mission team do some final training in the procedures of cooperating with international airports, integrating the prototype HB-SIA into air traffic and providing the logistics for servicing the airplane.

Register as a Friend on our Supporters Program and we will let you know the exact departure date of this new mission as soon as it is known.

Like the European flights, we will be transmitting this mission live on our website with live video, moving map, and the virtual cockpit!