Pilots

Two men, both pioneers and innovators, both pilots, are the driving force behind Solar Impulse.

Bertrand Piccard, doctor, psychiatrist and aeronaut, who made the first non-stop round-the-world balloon flight, is the initiator and chairman.

André Borschberg, an engineer and graduate in management science, a fighter pilot and a professional airplane and helicopter pilot, is the co-founder and CEO.

The former’s avant-gardist vision and the latter’s entrepreneurial and managerial experience are an ideal combination.

André Borschberg

Bertrand Piccard

Timeline

ACROSS AMERICA: PRESS CONFERENCE PART I

28.03.2013

MISSION 2012

Royal Decoration

Judging by the reactions of Moroccans in the weeks that followed, it seems that the whole population must have watched the TV coverage of Bertrand and André receiving their decorations from King Mohammed VI. It was during the celebration of the Feast of the Throne that the King of Morocco solemnly conferred on Solar Impulse’s founders and pilots the title of Officer of the Order of the Alawites*, congratulating them for the success of this summer’s flight missions.

There were some warm exchanges, our pilots expressing to the King their admiration for the Moroccan solar energy program, and the King thanking them for the enthusiasm generated by the arrival of Solar Impulse inMorocco.

For Bertrand and André, this decoration belongs to the whole team, on whose work and admirable dedication the success was based.

*The Order Wissam Al-’Awi symbolizes the King of Morocco’s recognition for civilians and military officers who have displayed heroism or contributed significantly to the Moroccan state.