Solar Impulse-2 takes-off from Varanasi, headed for Mandalay

March 19, 2015 09:51

The world's only 'no-fuel' solar-powered aircraft 'Solar Impulse-2' today took off for Myanmar from Varanasi after overnight stopover, ending its week-long journey in India as part of the round-the-world trip.

The aircraft took off at around 5:22am from Varanasi airport and is being flown by co-pilot as well as project President Bertrand Piccard.

The Solar Impulse-2 is currently flying the fourth leg. The Aircraft made a night stop in Varanasi for nearly 8 hours. The CEO and pilot of Solar Impulse, Andre Borschberg, had flown the solar-powered aircraft to Varanasi from Ahmedabad.

The aircraft touched down at the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport at Babatpur on Wednesday shortly after 8:30 pm, completing an over 13 hour-long journey from Ahmedabad, where the plane and the crew had a week's stopover.

The aircraft maintained a minimum altitude of around 5,200 metres on its flight to Varanasi.

The plane reached Ahmedabad on March 10 and was stationed for six days there before arriving in Varanasi. The aircraft began its journey on March 9 from Abu Dhabi.

Swiss co-pilot Bertrand Piccard had flown the plane from Muscat to Ahmedabad whereas Borschberg had flown the aircraft to Varanasi from Ahmedabad.

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