Latest news with #electricplane
CBS News
4 days ago
- Science
- CBS News
Pilot breaks altitude record for solar-powered plane, crossing paths with commercial airliner, his team says
Swiss pilot Raphael Domjan beat the altitude record for a solar-powered electric plane in a flight that took him soaring to 9,521 meters, or 31,237 feet, his team announced Wednesday. The SolarStratos plane made the landmark flight from Sion airport in southwest Switzerland on Tuesday, taking advantage of warm air thermals to go beyond the record that has stood for 15 years. The certified altitude record for a solar plane stands at 9,235 meters, or 30,298 feet. The achievement is "one of those unforgettable peaks that define great human and technological adventures," the SolarStratos mission said in a statement. At cruising altitude, Domjan actually crossed paths with a commercial airliner, SolarStratos said, calling the moment "a powerful symbol of what the decarbonized aviation of tomorrow might look like." Domjan's flight lasted five hours and nine minutes. "I share this moment of joy with all the people who have been preparing for this achievement for years," the 53-year-old said. The data will be sent to the World Air Sports Federation governing body, which will decide whether to validate the new record. "It is the pressure altitude corrected to standard density altitude that is recognized as the official reference for aviation altitude records," the SolarStratos team said. Domjan — whose company bio describes him as a "eco-adventurer" and lecturer who pilots planes, gliders and helicopters — is aiming to be the first to take a solar-powered plane above 10,000 meters, flying at the same altitude as airliners. If that barrier is broken, the team hopes to go on and make a first manned solar-powered flight into the stratosphere, which at Switzerland's latitude begins at around 12,000 meters. "This achievement marks a major milestone on the path toward reaching the stratosphere using only solar power -- and already fulfils the mission's goal: to capture imaginations with emblematic, spectacular challenges that promote solar energy and the protection of our biosphere and planet," SolarStratos said. The front-mounted single propeller plane, registration HB-SXA, is made of carbon fiber to ensure lightness and strength. SolarStratos is 9.6 meters long, and its huge wingspan of 24.8 meters accommodates the 22 square meters of high-spec solar panels topping the wings, and allows for flying at low speeds. The plane, which SolarStartos calls "daring and finely engineered," can take off at low speeds, from 50 kilometers per hour upwards. Its maximum speed is 140 kph, while its cruising speed is around 80 kph. In 2012, the pioneering Domjan became the first person to sail around the world in a fully solar-powered boat, a journey that began in Miami in 2010. "It's important to demonstrate what we can achieve with solar energy," the adventurer told AFP. "The dream of flight is probably the oldest dream of mankind," he said. "My goal is to show to the young generation of today and tomorrow that tomorrow it will still be possible to fly without burning any fossil energies," he said. "This is what we want to achieve: it's really to show that the world of tomorrow can be better than what we have today," he added. A warm-up flight on July 31 got to 6,589 meters, surpassing the plane's previous best in 2024. A first attempt on Friday was quickly abandoned when the forecast thermals failed to materialize, saving the batteries for Sunday when the plane got to 8,224 meters. During the first phase of record attempts, the aircraft has to make maximum use of rising warm air currents to climb to around 4,000-5,000 meters. It then has to recharge its batteries at this altitude before climbing again. Before takeoff, the batteries must be fully charged using solar energy, and the plane has to land under its own power — it cannot glide back in on zero charge — and have at least 16% charge in the batteries. If the flight is to be certified as a record, all the energy used during the flight must have been produced by the solar cells. The current record was set in 2010 by the Solar Impulse experimental plane, with Swiss pilot Andre Borschberg at the controls.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Swiss pilot surpasses solar-powered plane altitude record
Swiss pilot Raphael Domjan beat the altitude record for a solar-powered electric plane in a flight that took him soaring to 9,521 metres, his team announced Wednesday. The SolarStratos plane made the landmark flight from Sion airport in southwest Switzerland on Tuesday, taking advantage of warm air thermals to go beyond the 15-year-old record. The certified altitude record for a solar plane had stood at 9,235 metres (30,298 feet). It was set in 2010 by the Solar Impulse plane, with Swiss pilot Andre Borschberg at the controls. Domjan's flight lasted five hours and nine minutes. "I share this moment of joy with all the people who have been preparing for this achievement for years," he said, celebrating afterwards with the melted cheese of a traditional Swiss raclette. The data will be sent to the World Air Sports Federation governing body, which will decide whether to validate the new record. "It is the pressure altitude corrected to standard density altitude that is recognised as the official reference for aviation altitude records," the SolarStratos team said in a statement. Domjan is aiming to be the first to take a solar-powered plane above 10,000 metres -- flying at the same altitude as airliners. If this barrier is broken, the team hopes to go on and make a first manned solar-powered flight into the stratosphere, which at Switzerland's latitude begins at around 12,000 metres. "This achievement marks a major milestone on the path toward reaching the stratosphere using only solar power -- and already fulfils the mission's goal: to capture imaginations with emblematic, spectacular challenges that promote solar energy and the protection of our biosphere and planet," SolarStratos said. rjm/vog/tw
France 24
10-08-2025
- France 24
Swiss pilot takes big step closer to solar plane altitude record
Self-described eco-explorer Domjan, 53, flew the SolarStratos electric plane to an altitude of 8,224 metres in a flight lasting around four and a half hours, his team told reporters, after he landed back at Sion airport in southwestern Switzerland. The current altitude record for a solar plane stands at 9,235 metres, set in 2010 by the Solar Impulse experimental aeroplane, flown by Swiss pilot Andre Borschberg. Domjan is aiming to get to 10,000 metres or beyond -- flying at the same altitude as airliners. A warm-up flight on July 31 got to 6,589 metres -- the highest-ever for SolarStratos. And an attempt on Friday was cut short when the rising warm air thermals needed to boost the ascent failed to materialise, with Domjan turning back to preserve the charge in the batteries for Sunday, when the conditions looked more promising. Sunday's second attempt of the season set a new high altitude best for the two-seater SolarStratos, which has high-spec solar panels covering its huge 24.8-metre wingspan. The slow-charging plane will be left out in the sun to get the batteries back up to 100 percent for the next attempt. "To be a pioneer, an adventurer, it means trying something you are not sure will succeed," Domjan told AFP on Friday.
France 24
08-08-2025
- Science
- France 24
Pioneer spirit drives Swiss solar-powered plane altitude attempt
The SolarStratos electric plane took off from Sion airport in the Rhone valley in southwestern Switzerland at 1:21pm, in the hope that conditions higher up would prove favourable for record-chasing. But it soon became clear that the rising warm air thermals Domjan needed to boost the ascent were not there, and it was better to save energy and try again another day -- all in the pioneer spirit, according to the adventurer. The wildfires in neighbouring France were likely among the reasons why the forecast conditions had changed. Domjan touched down 38 minutes later, deciding to preserve the charge in the batteries with a view to another go on Sunday or Wednesday, when the baking hot conditions look more promising. "The flight was good but we didn't find any thermals," he told AFP after opening the cockpit and taking off his helmet, sweat rolling down his cheeks. "We really needed to find something to climb... the sun was there but not the thermal activities. "It was clear that it would not work. We tried." 10,000-metre challenge Domjan is aiming to get to 10,000 metres or beyond -- flying at the same altitude as airliners. Such a flight would take at least five hours. "It's more difficult than expected," said the 53-year-old, who describes himself as an "eco-explorer" committed to climate protection. "That's why we are the first to go there," he said, adding: "We try because it's difficult." A warm-up flight on July 31 got to 6,589 metres -- the highest-ever for SolarStratos. The propeller plane, made of carbon fibre, is 9.6 metres (31 feet and six inches) long. It has a huge wingspan of 24.8 metres to accommodate the 22 square metres of high-spec solar panels topping the wings. The current altitude record for a solar plane stands at 9,235 metres, set in 2010 by the Solar Impulse experimental aeroplane, flown by Swiss pilot Andre Borschberg. "We'll try and try until we go to 10,000 metres, or it's the winter when there is no sun and we cannot try anymore," said Domjan. On Friday, Domjan reached 1,769 metres but quickly decided there was no point draining the batteries looking for thermal currents that were not going to show. The slow-charging plane will be parked back out in the sun to fill the batteries for next time. Hanging in the sky Domjan's mother was there to wave him off on his record attempt. After getting strapped into his emergency parachute and making a few last-minute notes on paper, Domjan strode towards his plane. "Right, see you later," he said before clambering into the cockpit. The hubbub in the hangar went quiet as he tested his oxygen mask, donned his helmet, checked his instruments and gave a farewell fist-bump before closing the canopy. The plane taxied on the runway to the gentle sound of a traditional Swiss alphorn, with Sion's Tourbillon Castle and Valere Basilica providing a striking backdrop. Almost immediately, SolarStratos was airborne, its slow movement giving it the impression of hanging in the sky as it drifted down the valley. The plane made several turns as it gradually climbed beyond the lower terraced vineyards, above the deep green pine trees, and then towards the snowless Alpine peaks piercing the clear blue sky. But Domjan found no rising thermals as he searched around Mont Gord -- and it was better to turn back. In 2012, Domjan became the first person to sail around the world in a fully solar-powered boat. "If you want to be a pioneer, when you start you will never know if you will be a pioneer of success or a pioneer of failure," he said, once back in the hangar on Friday. "To be a pioneer, an adventurer, it means trying something you are not sure will succeed. © 2025 AFP
Irish Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
US company behind Ireland's first fully electric plane flight says Shannon crucial for future operations
Shannon Airport is believed to have made aviation history as the location for the first commercial electric plane flight manned by pilot in Ireland. US company Beta Technologies debuted its electric Alia CTOL plane with a conventional take-off and landing at Shannon. It marks the first of a series of planned stops Beta's CTOL aircraft, which was shipped to Ireland, will make across Europe; culminating in its final delivery to a customer in Norway. The Vermont-based company said its arrival in Ireland 'marks a major step toward Beta bringing its low-cost technology to the European market'. It is setting up a hub in Shannon with the help of Future Mobility Campus Ireland based at the airport. READ MORE Optimised for payload and range for regional and intracity flights of up to 500km, Beta's aircraft is capable of transporting up to five passengers or half a tonne of cargo and is cheaper to operate than conventionally-powered aircraft. The company is rolling out a network of charging infrastructure using an industry standard compatible with other air taxi manufacturers and ground vehicles. 'This is more than just an arrival, it's a springboard to bring the future of aviation to Europe,' said Kyle Clark, founder and chief executive of Beta Technologies after the successful flight on Friday. 'AAM [advanced air mobility], and our aircraft specifically, is practically purpose-built for the distributed geography and weather conditions of Ireland and the rest of Europe. With its spirit of innovation and growing leadership in future transportation solutions, we see Ireland as a strategic partner and gateway to the broader European aviation market.' FMCI chief executive Russell Vickers said: 'Partnering with Beta on these historic flights is a milestone moment ... It epitomises our mission to support the future of air mobility. FMCI serves not just as a launch pad for Irish innovation, but as a landing pad for global pioneers.' When companies like BETA come to Ireland, they help accelerate innovation at home, bringing new skills, technologies, and opportunities to our aviation ecosystem, he added. 'These flights demonstrate real-world innovation, with Ireland acting as a proving ground for what comes next.' He told Clare FM he expected a vertical take-off option – 'flying like a helicopter' – would soon come on stream with the possibility, for instance, of an 'air taxi' option from Shannon to Adare Manor when it stages the Ryder Cup in 2027. Beta and the Alia CTOL aircraft represent the spirit of innovation and fast-paced product development happening in aviation, said Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) chief executive Declan Fitzpatrick. 'This challenges regulators to keep up, but I am happy to state Europe and specifically Ireland has the necessary safety regulations and certification framework and skills in place to test and bring hybrid and electric aircraft to the market,' he said. The IAA issued a special category certificate of airworthiness for the flight as the aircraft continues to be in test phase. FMCI intends to install several Beta 'charge cubes' to power its aircraft in 2026, while the US company continues manufacturing and certifying a vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The company has orders for its CTOL plane from global operator customers including UPS, Air New Zealand, United Therapeutics, the helicopter company Bristow Norway and the US department of defence.
