The unique solar powered “Solar Impulse HB-SIA” airplane, backed by Deutsche Bank, as a main partner, took off yesterday on its first flight. From Payerne airfield (Switzerland), Solar Impulse test pilot Markus Scherdel took the prototype airplane up to 1200 meters. He spent an hour and twenty-seven minutes familiarizing himself with the prototype’s flight behaviour and performing initial flight exercises before making the first landing.

Solar impulse maiden flight - here over Lake Neufchâtel

Never before has an airplane of this size been built with such low weight. The “Solar Impulse HB-SIA” prototype has a wingspan of 63.4 meters, but weighs only 1,600 kg. The aircraft sets new standards in the field of aerodynamics, design, construction, propulsion and performance:  The special combination of materials and design engineering reduces the weight of the aircraft while simultaneously ensuring the required stability and durability. The wingspan of the light-weight airplane is constructed around a skeleton of carbon fiber composite which is covered with 12,000 ultra-thin photovoltaic cells made from monocrystalline silicon. These cells must generate enough energy during the day to keep the solar aircraft in the air at night. The first 36-hour flight of the Solar Impulse prototype is scheduled to take place before summer.

"I have too many tears in my eyes to see the plane! I’m overwhelmed.” exclaimed Solar Impulse initiator Bertrand Piccard, still emotional about the maiden flight. A delighted André Borschberg, CEO and co-founder of the project, said: “87 minutes of intense emotion after 7 years of research, testing and perseverance. Never has an airplane as large and light ever flown before! The success of this first flight allows us to envisage the further program with greater serenity”

In 2012 Solar Impulse is due to set off on the first round-the-world flight of a manned solar aircraft. Without using any fuel or emitting any pollutants, it will take off and fly for several days and nights - powered solely by the sun. Solar Impulse’s goal is to draw attention to the huge potential of regenerative energy sources and to set in motion nothing less than a revolution in their usage.

As Solar Impulse’s main partner, Deutsche Bank is proud to support a unique, pioneering project which is much more than an impressive, technological masterpiece. Solar Impulse is an outstanding symbol that demonstrates what people imbued with the spirit of enterprise and innovation can achieve together. Motivated by our shared values - innovation, sustainability and performance – Solar Impulse and Deutsche Bank want to make a contribution to ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. We are convinced that economic productivity, social responsibility and sustainability are inextricably intertwined. Sustainability can – and must – be profitable.

For this reason, Deutsche Bank has long committed itself to acting sustainably far beyond its core business.
For us that means that from 2013 on all business activities worldwide will be climate-neutral. It also means that by 2010 our concern headquarters in Frankfurt will be converted into one of the most energy-efficient high-rise buildings in the world, once reconstruction of the “Greentowers” is completed. In addition, we enable our customers to take advantage of the enormous potential of ecologically and socially sustainable investment possibilities which allow one to invest not only profitably but also responsibly.

Additional information:

Solar Impulse
Video of the maiden flight
Photos of the maiden flight
Ensuring Viability - Combining business and ecology