The Swiss-made solar-powered aircraft, Solar Impulse 2, took off from Abu Dhabi on Monday morning 2015.03.09 on a 35,000-kilometer (21,700-mile) long journey in a historic attempt to fly around the world without fossil fuel.
The single-seat aircraft will be flown by two pilots, André Borschberg and Solar Impulse co-founder Bertrand Piccard.
Some legs of the trip, such as over the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, will mean five days and five nights of flying solo. The pilot's aim is to rest a maximum of 20 minutes straight, repeating the naps 12 times over a 24-hour period. Goggles that are worn over the pilot's eyes will flash lights to wake him up. Armbands worn underneath the suit will buzz if the plane is not flying level.
The pilot's blood oxygen levels constantly will be monitored and sent back to ground control.
The plane will reach an altitude of around 28,000 feet (8,500 meters) during the day in order to catch the sun's rays and at night it will go down to around 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) when flying over the ocean.
In 1999, Piccard and another pilot made the first non-stop balloon circumnavigation of the world.
The aircraft, a larger version of a single-seat prototype that first flew five years ago, has a wingspan of 72 meters (236 feet).
Built into the wings are 17,248 ultra-efficient solar cells that power four electrical motors that in turn powers the plane's propellers. The solar cells also recharge four lithium polymer batteries for flying at night.
The aircraft Si2 weighs around 2,300 kilograms (5,070 pounds).
The journey will span 25 flight days over five months before they return to Abu Dhabi in late July or August 2015.
Source: msm.com / AP
World Flight
Followin in the footsteps of the great aviators.
8/18/14
First Hydrogen Balloon Flight
At 1:45 pm on December 1, 1783, professor Jacques Charles and the Robert brothers (Les Frères Robert) launched a new, manned hydrogen balloon. The flight took off from the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris.
The balloon was held on ropes and led to its final launch place by four of the leading noblemen in France.
Jacques Charles was accompanied by Nicolas-Louis Robert as co-pilot of the 380-cubic-metre, hydrogen-filled balloon. The envelope was fitted with a hydrogen release valve, and was covered with a net from which the basket was suspended.
Sand ballast was used to control altitude. They ascended to a height of about 1,800 feet (550 m) and landed at sunset in Nesles-la-Vallée after a flight of 2 hours and 5 minutes, covering 36 km.
Charles then decided to ascend again, but alone this time. He rapidly ascended to an altitude of about 3,000 metres, where he saw the sun again. He began suffering from aching pain in his ears so he 'valved' to release gas, and descended to land gently about 3 km away at Tour du Lay.
Charles and Robert carried a barometer and a thermometer to measure the pressure and the temperature of the air, making this not only the first manned hydrogen balloon flight, but also the first balloon flight to provide meteorological measurements of the atmosphere above the Earth's surface.
It is reported that 400,000 spectators witnessed the launch.
Source: Wikipedia
12/18/12
Archbold World Flight
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| Catalina Photo: Wikipedia |
The third and most ambitious Archbold expedition to New Guinea took place from April 1938 to May 1939 in Netherlands New Guinea, concentrating on the north slope of the Snow Mountains, from Mt Wilhelmina to the Idenburg River (a tributary of the Mamberamo River), making collections at altitudes from near sea-level to over 4,000 m at the upper limit of vegetation.
Piloted by Russell R. Rogers, the expedition used a PBY-2 Catalina flying boat (named Guba II), that could land on suitable lakes and rivers, to provide supplies to the expedition as well as performing other duties such as aerial reconnaissance and photography. It was through an aerial reconnaissance flight early in the expedition that the discovery was made, on 23 June 1938, of the hitherto unknown, though densely populated, Baliem Valley, home to the Dani people.
Pioneer flight over the Indian Ocean
Towards the conclusion of the expedition in 1939, with Archbold intending to return to the USA across the Pacific, he was contacted by Captain P.G. Taylor, representing Australian interests which, with war impending, wanted to determine the practicality of an air route from Australia to Europe over the Indian Ocean and via Africa rather than Asia.
It appeared that Guba II was the only suitable aircraft for the job at short notice. As Archbold was amenable to the project, his plane was effectively chartered for the crossing by the Australian government (which paid for fuel and other provisions used during the flight) and his flying crew augmented by Taylor as navigator.
The intended flight path across the Indian Ocean was from Port Hedland, Western Australia to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Diego Garcia, the Seychelles and Mombasa, Kenya. Apart from the initial leg of the flight, when the plane was forced, after leaving Port Hedland, to detour via Batavia (now Jakarta) because of bad weather, the flight was made without major problems. In Mombasa Taylor left the crew to return to Australia and Archbold continued the flight westwards, landing in New York in July 1939.
Source: Wikipedia
Hutchinsons World attempt
George R. Hutchinson (February 11, 1902 - August 21, 1989) was an American aviator.
The Flying Hutchinsons - The 'Flying Family.
In 1931, George, Blanche and daughters Kathryn and Janet Hutchinson became nationwide celebrities as the Flying Hutchinsons. They visited the capitals of all 48 United States by air.
Further fame came when 'the Flying Family' attempted an around-the-world flight the next year; their Sikorsky S-38 aircraft crash-landed off Greenland. The family were stranded for several days before being picked up by a fishing trawler and transported to the United Kingdom.
George and Blanche wrote two books about their adventures; The Flying Family in Greenland (1935) and Flying the States (1937). The family were pictured on cereal boxes and made appearances on stage and radio.
In 1939, the family attempted another around-the-world flight in a Lockheed Electra.
The stated aim of this flight was to carry a scroll with a message of peace to the '68 nations of the world', but this flight only made it as far as Mexico before it was cancelled due to the outbreak of World War II.
Despite the early cancellation of the flight, an NBC radio dramatization was subsequently produced, starring the family themselves.
Source: Wikipedia
The Flying Hutchinsons - The 'Flying Family.
In 1931, George, Blanche and daughters Kathryn and Janet Hutchinson became nationwide celebrities as the Flying Hutchinsons. They visited the capitals of all 48 United States by air.
Further fame came when 'the Flying Family' attempted an around-the-world flight the next year; their Sikorsky S-38 aircraft crash-landed off Greenland. The family were stranded for several days before being picked up by a fishing trawler and transported to the United Kingdom.
George and Blanche wrote two books about their adventures; The Flying Family in Greenland (1935) and Flying the States (1937). The family were pictured on cereal boxes and made appearances on stage and radio.
In 1939, the family attempted another around-the-world flight in a Lockheed Electra.
The stated aim of this flight was to carry a scroll with a message of peace to the '68 nations of the world', but this flight only made it as far as Mexico before it was cancelled due to the outbreak of World War II.
Despite the early cancellation of the flight, an NBC radio dramatization was subsequently produced, starring the family themselves.
Source: Wikipedia
Paris to the French West Indies
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| Latécoère 521 Photo: Wikipedia |
The Latécoère 521, "Lieutenant de Vaisseau Paris", was a French six-engined flying boat, and one of the first large trans-Atlantic passenger aircraft.
The inaugural flight took place on 10 January 1935, followed by a demonstration flight in December 1935 via Dakar, North Africa to Natal, Brazil, then north to the French West Indies.
In June 1937 it flew non-stop to Natal before returning to France via the North Atlantic. On 30 December 1937 it set an FAI record carrying a payload of 18040 kg (39,770 lbs) to 2000 meters (6,562 ft) altitude at Biscarrosse, France. (The FAI Bulletin says it had six 650-hp (485-kw) engines at the time.)
In 1939 the XB-15 set a new landplane payload record: 14135 kg.
Equipped with more powerful engines, the aircraft made four further return flights to New York between May and July 1939.
The aircraft could transport 72 passengers in a great comfort. On the lower level there was a salon with 20 armchairs and tables, six deluxe double cabins, each with its own bathroom, seating for a further 22 passengers, a kitchen, a bar and a baggage hold. The upper level had seating for 18 passengers, a storage compartment and an office for the three flight engineers.
General characteristics
Crew: 5 + cabin crew
Capacity: 30-72
Length: 31.62 m (103 ft 9 in)
Wingspan: 49.3 m (161 ft 9 in)
Height: 9.07 m (29 ft 9 in)
Wing area: 330 m2 (3,600 sq ft) + 53m² (570.5ft²) for the sponsons / lower wings
Empty weight: 18,882 kg (41,628 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 40,000 kg (88,185 lb)
Performance
Maximum speed: 261 km/h (162 mph; 141 kn) at 2,000m (6,562ft)
Cruising speed: 210 km/h (130 mph; 113 kn)
Minimum control speed: 100 km/h (62 mph; 54 kn)
Range: 4,100 km (2,548 mi; 2,214 nmi)
Service ceiling: 6,300 m (20,669 ft)
Rate of climb: 3.7 m/s (730 ft/min)
Time to altitude: 2,000m in 9min
Source: Wikipedia
Pan American to San Francisco to Hong Kong
On April 21, 1937 Pan American Airways inaugurated new passenger/mail service across the
Pacific from San Francisco to Hong Kong with an intermediate stop in the Portuguese colony of Macao. This opened commercial connections with Imperial Airways and KLM for onward transit round-the-world.
Source: Wingnet.org
Pacific from San Francisco to Hong Kong with an intermediate stop in the Portuguese colony of Macao. This opened commercial connections with Imperial Airways and KLM for onward transit round-the-world.
Source: Wingnet.org
Pan American to San Francisco to Manila
On November 22, 1935 Pan American Airways began carrying mail across the Pacific from San Francisco to Manila, Philippines with its newly acquired Martin M-130 flying boat. Pan American decided to expand this transpacific mail service to passenger carrying service on October 21, 1936.
Source: Wingnet.org
Source: Wingnet.org
12/15/12
Joe Crosson World flight
Joseph E. "Joe" Crosson (1903–1949)
Joe Crosson piloted a Pacific Alaska Airways Fairchild 71 float-plane with several passengers on a survey flight linking North America and Asia.
The flight continued westward round-the-world finally returning to Nome AK after November 30, 1934.
Fairbanks AK - 1934.09.01
Nome AK - 1934.09.01
Uelen, Russia
Anadyr, Russia
Moscow, Russia - 1934.10.29
Berlin, Germany - 1934.11.19
New York, NY
Seattle, WA - 1934.11.30
Fairbanks, AK
Nome, AK
Source: Wingnet.org / Wikipedia
Joe Crosson piloted a Pacific Alaska Airways Fairchild 71 float-plane with several passengers on a survey flight linking North America and Asia.
The flight continued westward round-the-world finally returning to Nome AK after November 30, 1934.
Fairbanks AK - 1934.09.01
Nome AK - 1934.09.01
Uelen, Russia
Anadyr, Russia
Moscow, Russia - 1934.10.29
Berlin, Germany - 1934.11.19
New York, NY
Seattle, WA - 1934.11.30
Fairbanks, AK
Nome, AK
Source: Wingnet.org / Wikipedia
Francis Chichester Solo Round the World Attempt
Francis Chichester (17 September 1901 – 26 August 1972), got a de Havilland Gipsy Moth aircraft, Mme Elia, which he intended to fly to New Zealand. He had hoped to break Bert Hinkler’s record solo flight back to Australia en route.
In 1929 Francis Chichester made the second solo flight to Australia. In 1931, the first solo flight across the Tasman Sea from East to West in his Gypsy Moth aeroplane fitted with floats.
Mechanical problems meant that the record eluded him, however he completed the trip in 41 days.
The aircraft was then shipped to New Zealand.
Finding that he was unable to carry enough fuel to cross the Tasman Sea directly, he had his Gipsy Moth fitted with floats, borrowed from the New Zealand Permanent Air Force. He went on to make the first solo flight across the Tasman Sea from East to West (New Zealand - Australia.)
He was the first aviator to land an aircraft at Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. Again his flight was delayed as his aircraft was severely damaged at Lord Howe. He had to rebuild it himself with the help of islanders. He navigated with the help of the sun. He was awarded the inaugural Amy Johnson Memorial Trophy for this trip.
Chichester then decided to circumnavigate the world solo. He made it to Japan but, on take-off from Katsuura Harbour Wakayama, he collided with an overhead cable, sustaining serious injuries.
Source: Wikipedia
In 1929 Francis Chichester made the second solo flight to Australia. In 1931, the first solo flight across the Tasman Sea from East to West in his Gypsy Moth aeroplane fitted with floats.
Mechanical problems meant that the record eluded him, however he completed the trip in 41 days.
The aircraft was then shipped to New Zealand.
Finding that he was unable to carry enough fuel to cross the Tasman Sea directly, he had his Gipsy Moth fitted with floats, borrowed from the New Zealand Permanent Air Force. He went on to make the first solo flight across the Tasman Sea from East to West (New Zealand - Australia.)
He was the first aviator to land an aircraft at Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. Again his flight was delayed as his aircraft was severely damaged at Lord Howe. He had to rebuild it himself with the help of islanders. He navigated with the help of the sun. He was awarded the inaugural Amy Johnson Memorial Trophy for this trip.
Chichester then decided to circumnavigate the world solo. He made it to Japan but, on take-off from Katsuura Harbour Wakayama, he collided with an overhead cable, sustaining serious injuries.
Source: Wikipedia
Post and Gatty World Flight
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| Wiley Post with Gatty in Germany, 1931 (Wikipedia). |
In 1930 the record for Flying around the world was not held by a fixed-wing aircraft, but by the Graf Zeppelin, piloted by Hugo Eckener in 1929 with a time of 21 days.
On June 23, 1931, Post and his navigator Harold Gatty took off from Roosevelt Field on Long Island, New York.
The Lockheed Vega aircraft, the Winnie Mae had a flight plan that would take them around the world, stopping at Harbour Grace, Flintshire, Hanover twice, Berlin, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Blagoveshchensk, Khabarovsk, Nome where his propeller had to be repaired, Fairbanks where the propeller was replaced, Edmonton, and Cleveland before returning to Roosevelt Field.
They arrived back on July 1, after traveling 15,474 miles (24 903 km) in the record time of 8 days and 15 hours and 51 minutes.
After the flight, Post acquired the Winnie Mae from F.C. Hall, and he and Gatty published an account of their journey titled, Around the World in Eight Days, with an introduction by Will Rogers.
Source: Wikipedia
Post First solo pilot
Wiley Hardeman Post (November 22, 1898 – August 15, 1935).
Post decided to attempt a solo flight around the world and to break his previous speed record.
Over the next year, Post improved his aircraft by installing an autopilot device and a radio direction finder that were in their final stages of development by the Sperry Gyroscope Company and the United States Army.
1933.07.15 - 1933.07.22
In 1933, he repeated his flight around the world, this time using the auto-pilot and compass in place of his navigator and becoming the first to accomplish the feat alone. He departed from Floyd Bennett Field and continued on to Berlin where repairs were attempted to his autopilot. He also stopped at Königsberg to replace some forgotten maps, in Moscow for more repairs to his autopilot, in Novosibirsk, in Irkutsk for final repairs to the autopilot. Further stops in Rukhlovo, Khabarovsk, his propeller had to be replaced, Fairbanks, Edmonton, and back to Floyd Bennett Field.
Fifty thousand people greeted him on his return on July 22 after 7 days, 18 hours, 49 minutes30 Sec.
21 hours less than his previous record, and he was given a second ticker-tape parade in New York.
Source: Wikipedia
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