Solar Impulse leaves New York, heads for Spain

Moving the plane was a manual affair, and it was rolled sideways rather than forward. (credit: John Timmer)

Early Monday morning, Solar Impulse 2 left John F. Kennedy Airport in New York on its attempt to cross the Atlantic as part of its 'round-the-world flight. The solar-powered craft is expected to take four days to make its way to Seville, Spain. This leg features Bertrand Piccard at the controls after fellow pilot André Borschberg brought the craft into New York.

As of noon Eastern Standard Time, the craft was eight percent of the way through its journey, which will take it northeast along the US and Canadian coasts to Newfoundland, after which it will turn southeast to head more directly to Spain. After starting the flight on battery power, the craft has largely recharged its batteries as it continues to climb above a kilometer in altitude.

Progress of the flight can be monitored at the Solar Impulse website.

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Source: Scientific Method – Ars Technica http://ift.tt/28L51rk