Solar Impulse 2, the Swiss made solar power aircraft, completed the second leg of its historic journey of flying around the world on solar charge. The Solar Impulse 2 has landed in Ahmedabad, India after its 16-hour journey from Muscat, Oman. It has travelled around 1468kms (910 miles) between Muscat and Ahmedabad. The Solar Impulse 2 has also created a new record of longest distance covered by a solar powered plane. It has completed two legs of its journey and more ten remains to be accomplished.
"It's a privilege to fly in an aeroplane like that," pilot Bertrand Piccard told reporters after landing.
Bertrand Piccard the co-founder of the solar impulse was at the controls along with the other pilot and founder of solar impulse Andre Borschberg. The two pilots will take turns at the controls during the 21,700 miles journey.
The plane will be in Amedabad for 2 days for maintenance check. Then it will head towards its next stop Varanasi.
The journey of the solar impulse 2 started from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on Monday 9 March. The first landing was in Muscat, Oman which took around 13 hours to complete. The seconded landing was Ahmedabad which the plane is at present. The second leg was completed in 16 hours. The next landing of the solar impulse 2 is Varanasi which is also in India. After India the journey include halts at Myanmar, China, Hawaii, the United States and southern Europe.
The total journey comprises of about 35000kms (21,700 miles). The estimated time to be taken by solar impulse 2 to complete the journey is around 5 months. The plane is assumed to be back in Abu Dhabi by late July. The journey also include flying 5 days 5 nights continuously while above the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans.
