In a feat that would have pleased both Icarus and Daedalus, a solar-powered aircraft capable of flying during day and night ended its multi-leg cross-country journey in New York last Saturday.
The AP has the full scoop, but here are some of the flashier details: the Solar Impulse started from California in early May, powered by about 11,000 solar cells on its large wings.
The plane could cruise at 30,000 feet, but its top speed was … 45 miles per hour. Since its journey began in San Francisco this spring, the Solar Impulse has visited Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Washington, D.C.
Sure, there are much, much faster ways to cross the continent, but it’s great to see the spirit of adventure and innovation is alive and well in the skies. Of the trip, one of the plane’s two pilots said, “Flying coast-to-coast has always been a mythical milestone full of challenges for aviation pioneers.”
An upgraded version of the plane will be used in a 2015 flight around the globe.
(Photo: Charles Barilleaux via flickr/CC Attribution)
We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Related
Top Fares From
Today's Top Travel Deals
Brought to you by ShermansTravel
Kenya: 14-Night Tour, Incl. Tanzania &...
smarTours
vacation $7125+7-Night Caribbean Round-Trip Cruise From Orlando:...
Norwegian Cruise Line
cruise $739+Ohio: Daily Car Rentals from Cincinnati
85OFF.com
Car Rental $19+