Solar Impulse: BREAKING NEWS - NO FLIGHT UNTIL 2016

[Matt Ottosen]

Despite the hard work of the Solar Impulse team to repair the batteries which overheated in the record breaking oceanic flight from Nagoya to Hawaii, the solar powered airplane of Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg will stay in Hawaii until early spring 2016.

Following the longest and most difficult leg of the round-the-world journey which lasted 5 days and 5 nights (117 hours and 52 minutes), Solar Impulse will undergo maintenance repairs on the batteries due to damages brought about by overheating.

During the first ascent on day one of the flight from Nagoya to Hawaii, the battery temperature increased due to a high climb rate and an over insulation of the gondolas. And while the Mission Team was monitoring this very closely during the flight, there was no way to decrease the temperature for the remaining duration as each daily cycle requires an ascent to 28'000 feet and descent for optimal energy management.

http://www.solarimpulse.com/leg-8-from-Nagoya-to-Hawaii

[Chris Kennedy]

I heard today that when SI2 finally leaves Hawaii (supposed to be some time in April) it will be landing at GYR for the Phoenix stop. I don't know how reliable that info is.

[Rob Silliman]

According to AvWeek, the plane was in the air for a 90min test flight on Friday (2/26)

[Rob Silliman]

Si2's website is saying they are planning on starting the next leg (leaving Hawaii) at the end of next week. 

[Matt Ottosen]

Si2's website is saying they are planning on starting the next leg (leaving Hawaii) at the end of next week. 

Does it list the destination airport in Phoenix?

[Rob Silliman]

No, it just said Sky Harbor gave Si1 a warm welcome....

Si2's website is saying they are planning on starting the next leg (leaving Hawaii) at the end of next week. 

Does it list the destination airport in Phoenix?