RIYADH: The Saudi Aviation Authority granted the Solar Impulse 2 plane to fly over Saudi Arabia for two days starting Friday, heading to Abu-Dhabi from Cairo on its last leg. Solar Impulse's around-the-world voyage began in March 2015 in Abu Dhabi and is billed the longest solar trip in aviation history.
Capt. Abdulhakeem Al-Badr, vice president of the authority for security and safety, said granting the Solar Impulse 2 an overflying license comes within the authority's objectives encouraging innovation in the field of aviation.
The wings of Solar Impulse 2, which stretch wider than those of a Boeing 747, are equipped with 17,000 solar cells that power propellers and charge batteries. The plane runs on stored energy at night. Not a single drop of traditional plane fuel is used in Solar Impulse 2.
Its ideal flight speed is about 45.06 kph (28 mph), although that can double during the day when the sun's rays are the strongest. The project, estimated at more than $100 million, was launched in 2002 to highlight the importance of renewable energy and the spirit of innovation.
Capt. Abdulhakeem Al-Badr, vice president of the authority for security and safety, said granting the Solar Impulse 2 an overflying license comes within the authority's objectives encouraging innovation in the field of aviation.
The wings of Solar Impulse 2, which stretch wider than those of a Boeing 747, are equipped with 17,000 solar cells that power propellers and charge batteries. The plane runs on stored energy at night. Not a single drop of traditional plane fuel is used in Solar Impulse 2.
Its ideal flight speed is about 45.06 kph (28 mph), although that can double during the day when the sun's rays are the strongest. The project, estimated at more than $100 million, was launched in 2002 to highlight the importance of renewable energy and the spirit of innovation.
