Solar Impulse 2 flew from Cairo Sunday morning to the UAE’s Abu Dhabi, a two-day trip that will conclude its around the world mission.
In its unprecedented one year and a half global trip, the solar powered plane landed in 15 cities without using a “single drop of fuel.”
The plane arrived in Cairo last Wednesday at 7:10am (CET) following a 48 hour and 50 minute voyage from Seville.
The Cairo-Seville leg was the 16th of the tour, which started in March 2015 in Abu Dhabi.
Ahead of departing, pilot Betrand Piccard said that he considered Egypt one of the closest countries to his heart, adding that he is delivering a message to the world that the future is renewable energy.
The crew of the plane and their accompanying team extended their gratitude to the Egyptian government and Egypt’s Minister of Civil Aviation Sherif Fathy for the support and warm reception they received during their visit to Egypt, read a civil aviation ministry statement.
Fathy ordered that all necessary facilities for the crew and plane be provided, the ministry statement adding that Egypt is keen on supporting projects that aim to spread awareness of the use of modern technology.
The Swiss pilot shared a photo on Facebook of his plane flying over Egypt’s Giza pyramids en route to Abu Dhabi Sunday, reading: “To fly over the country of the great Pyramids reminds me that there was a time when the sun was worshiped as God. Today, it should be considered as the most powerful source of energy for our world.”
Piccard also commented on his final destination, which he said is one of the most difficult of his trip due to high temperatures in the Gulf that makes the plane susceptible to turbulence while restricted to flying at a certain altitude to maintain oxygen levels inside the plane.
According to the Piccard, the success of the whole journey depend on the final Abu Dhabi leg.
Solar Impulse 2 crossed the Pacific Ocean in five days and nights from Japan to Hawaii, the first oceanic crossing of a solar plane.
Its cruising speed varies between 45 km/h and 90 km/h.
