Gallery: Here's How You Fly a Massive, Delicate Solar Plane Across the Country

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    01

    Solar Impulse Across America First leg from Moffett Airfield to Phoenix Sky Harbour airport

    HB-SIA, with Bertrand Piccard at the controls, flies somewhere over California enroute to Phoenix during the first leg of Solar Impulse's transcontinental flight. *Photo: Fred Merz / Solar Imuplse*
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    Jean Revillard/Rezo.ch/Solarimpulse/Polaris
    02

    Test flight Pilot equipement

    Solar Impulse pilots and co-founders Bertrand Piccard (left) and Andre Borschberg (right), with HB-SIA. *Photo: Solar Imuplse*
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    Jean Revillard/Rezo
    03

    HBSIAcockpit

    Several screens convey a wealth of info to the pilot. The screen on the far right can fold down over the pilot's right shoulder and displays information via satellite including weather and email. On the right side of the panel is a screen that displays information about the airplane's energy level. On the left side of the panel is the radio and GPS. At the top and center are the flying instruments, including the two banks of five vertical lights on each side of the main display indicating single degrees of wing bank. The crank on the lower right is to raise and lower the main gear, 80 revolutions each way. *Photo: Solar Imuplse*
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    Solar Impulse
    04

    Solar Impulse Across America First leg from Moffett Airfield to Phoenix Sky Harbour airport

    Bertand Piccard's view from the cockpit as he flies over California on Friday, enroute to Phoenix. *Photo: Solar Imuplse*
  • Image may contain Human Person Renato Borghetti Helmet Clothing Apparel Crash Helmet Motor and Machine
    Solar Impulse
    05

    Solar Impulse Across America First leg from Moffett Airfield to Phoenix Sky Harbour airport

    Betrand Piccard uses some reflective foil to shield himself from the southern California sun during his flight to Phoenix. *Photo: Solar Imuplse*
  • Image may contain Road Human Person Transportation Vehicle Bicycle Bike and Building
    Fred Merz / Rezo.ch
    06

    Solar Impulse Across America First leg from Moffett Airfield to Phoenix Sky Harbour airport

    Bertrand Piccard makes a picture-perfect landing in Phoenix after 18 hours aloft. *Photo: Solar Impulse*
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