Pacific crossing
Departure was delayed twice due to unfavourable weather conditions
Solar Impulse passes point of no return in its crucial 120-hour flight over five nights and five days
It was third time lucky for Solar Impulse 2 as the aircraft finally began its 120-hour flight journey — the longest leg of its flight — from Japan to Hawaii.
The flight to Hawaii was delayed twice due to unfavourable weather, with the most recent delay coming just last week. On Sunday evening the Solar Impulse 2 was finally given the go ahead to take off for Hawaii. The flight is scheduled to reach its destination on July 3.
The plane, which is being piloted by André Borschberg, CEO of Solar Impulse, has completed 15 per cent of its journey, with over four days of flying still to be completed.
A statement on the Solar Impulse 2 website said that Borschberg was now on “the point of no return and must see this five-day and five-night flight through to the end”.
For the 120-hour flight, Borschberg will take occasional 20-minute sleeping and bathroom breaks, and has said he will use yoga and meditation to cope with the long flight.
In case of an emergency, Borschberg has a parachute and a life raft, with food and drink supplies to last him for a week.
The Solar Impulse 2 began its journey from Abu Dhabi on March 9. If successful, it will be the longest-duration solo flight in aviation history, as well as the furthest distance flown by a craft that is powered only by the sun.