Solar Impulse HB-SIA

Driving down the flightline in Moffett Field on Saturday morning and was surprised to see the Solar Impulse HB-SIA flying down the runway. Thought it was initial takeoff and departing the area, but later realized it was a go-around and into the pattern. By the time I got my camera out it was on final approach for a full stop.

Not the greatest photos since I was shooting directly into the sun, but the best I could process. I only had my 24-70mm lens with me so these are heavily cropped. Shot between 1/60 - 1/100, and that wasn't slow enough for the props since they spin so slowly.

Solar Impulse HB-SIA is the planning the first solar powered flight across the United States. The next version, HB-SIB, is still in production but slated to circumnavigate the globe in 2015.

From their website http://www.solarimpuls​e.com/en/airplane/hb-sia/
Wingspan 205’ (that's 6' less than a Boeing 747-400)
length 71’, weight 3,527lbs
4 brushless electric motors producing 10HP each, 11,628 Monocrystalline silicon solar cells
Takeoff speed 27MPH, average cruise speed 43MPH, Max cruise altitude 27,900’

This is a pretty good series for having been unprepared!

PhotosGuy wrote in post #15857052
This is a pretty good series for having been unprepared!

Thanks PhotosGuy. Yeah, I was walking around our jet and saw it on final. Jumped onboard to get the camera bag and started shooting in under 60 seconds. Luckily it was only moving about 30mph! Postprocessing was the pain due to the sun in my face.

That is one cool plane! as long as it is sunny..

StaticMedia wrote in post #15858204
That is one cool plane! as long as it is sunny..

True!

There is some power storage capacity involved since they have flown it more than 26 hours.