As André continues his descent toward Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, a flight that might set a new world distance record in the solar aviation category, innovation is definitely reaching new heights, but not only in America’s skies.

Schindler, a Solar Impulse Main Partner and world leading elevator and escalator manufacturer, is following Solar Impulse’s pioneering spirit, also vertically, but in a different way. Schindler heavily invested in a concept; a concept that became reality and is now being commercialized:  a solar-powered elevator.

A revolutionary achievement, Schindler’s solar elevator does not only reduce energy consumption, it can run entirely on sunlight. Furthermore, because of their capacity to run independently of the power grid, it allows them to function, undisturbed, in case of a power outage.

Prototype solar elevators were tested in Barcelona (Spain) and Switzerland in residential, low-rise buildings. The energy is collected by solar panels on the building’s rooftop while excess energy is stored in the Energy Storage Device (ESD) until needed. Backup power needs are provided by a one- phase grid connection, significantly simpler and more cost-efficient compared to standard three-phase connections.

The embedded Schindler engineers are the direct partnership link between Schindler and Solar Impulse, demonstrating the intense information and innovation exchange between the two companies. But Schindler’s contribution to the project goes beyond. Thanks to them and five other partners, Solvay, Bayer MaterialScience, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, SunPower and the Swiss Confederation, this year’s Across America mission has come true.   

André and Bertrand’s flight is being followed by a very special character, someone that’s been closely related to the Piccard family for a few generations. Do any of you know about the young journalist with the blond fringe, always accompanied by his loyal canine friend, Milou? Tintin, the adventurous journalist, hero of the Belgian artist Hergé’s comic books, has decided to embark on a new adventure and follow the Across America flight! 

Betrand’s grandfather, Auguste Piccard, was a renowned Swiss scientist, explorer and Professor at the Université Libre de Bruxelles. You couldn’t miss Auguste: his tall stature (1,96 cm/6’5’’), his unconventional clothing and signature round glasses made him as visible as can be. His greatest invention was the pressurized cabin, a necessity for modern-day flight. In fact, he was the first man to go into the stratosphere before World War II and to see the curvature of the earth when it was considered impossible. He later built the bathyscaphe which was used by his son, Jacques Piccard and the American Don Walsh, to go to the deepest part of the Earth’s Oceans, the Mariana Trench in 1960.

Auguste’s contribution to science inspired Herge’s cartoon character, Professor Tryphon Tournesol (Professor Cuthbert Calculus in English). A genius yet absent-minded Professor, Tourensol invents a number of incredible tools throughout Tintin’s adventures, including a moon rocket, a shark-shaped submarine and a pill to cure alcoholism.

Although Hergé, whose real name was Georges Prosper Remi, died in 1983 Tintin continues to be read worldwide. Hergé would have enjoyed following Solar Impulse on its numerous adventures and who knows, maybe might have inspired Professor Tournesol to make a groundbreaking invention using renewable energies? We will never know but the Solar Impulse team warmly welcomes Tintin and his friends to follow their journey across America.

For more information about Tintin, click here and for the Tintin blog about Solar Impulse (only in French) click here. 

Flying a solar airplane is no easy task especially when one considers the size of the cockpit, which amounts to a meager 46 ft³ (1,3 m³)! Today’s Phoenix to Dallas flight, which will last approximately 18 hours, will also allow André to beat his previously established absolute distance world record in the solar airplane category, achieved in 2012 during the flight from Payerne (Switzerland) to Madrid (Spain). The current flight will total 868 miles (1396.8 km).

But how does André stay focused and awake now that he’s only half way? Apart from being in great physical condition, the pilots also have to prove an extraordinary level of concentration and mental strength necessary to maneuver the unique and extremely lightweight solar aircraft during such long legs. In a cockpit devoid of an autopilot and dependent on the Mission Control Center (MCC) for flight route updates, André and Bertrand have to maintain a heightened level of focus throughout each flight.

The only way André could feel anxious before a flight is if he considered himself insufficiently prepared. Aware of this, every aspect of the flight is analyzed to the smallest detail. For example, the day before getting in the cockpit he closes his eyes and visualizes the first hours of the flight from take-off onward. He imagines all possible developments with different “what if” scenarios, even emergency ones, until he feels comfortable with the indications the Flight Director and his team have briefed him on that day. A final, shorter briefing is always given early in the morning the day of the flight to update the pilot on any potential changes.

André actively engages in Yoga, respiratory exercises and meditation. Yoga keeps his muscles flexible and comes in handy in the cockpit to maintain blood circulation. He regularly controls his breathing for many different reasons. For example, when he’s feeling a little tired he will start breathing faster to increase his energy level – an exercise he likes to do the day before a flight. But he will also control his breathing to relax. He does this by inhaling seven times and exhaling seven times bringing his heartbeat to a regular rhythm and allowing him to relax during calmer moments in the air. Finally, meditation is particularly handy the day before a flight, just before going to bed, to clear his mind from unnecessary thoughts ensuring a deep and restful sleep.

The Borschberg family is known to be fond of good food which explains why André doesn’t particularly like the few days preceding a flight. Don’t get me wrong, he’s ecstatic to know he’ll be soon in the cockpit again! The only downside is that he’s required to pay attention to his diet by completely cutting out aliments rich in fiber, like fruits and vegetables (see Brian’s funny video here to understand why). Even during the flight, André only brings snacks like cereal bars, nuts, dried fruits and maybe a sandwich, accompanied by water or a sports beverage.

With a growling stomach at the time of landing, transforming more into a lion’s roar during the ensuing press conference, it’s not surprising that André likes to indulge in a hearty meal – don’t forget to bring out those veggies!