Solar Impulse, the solar-powered airplane of Swiss pioneers Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, will today depart from Phoenix for Dallas to complete the second leg of its flight across america.

Piccard, who flew Solar Impulse during the first leg from San Francisco to Phoenix, will leave the pilot seat to Borschberg for the 2nd leg.

Borschberg will attempt to set an absolute distance world record in solar aviation. Indeed, the Phoenix-to-Dallas trip should be over 830 miles (~ 1’337 km). The previous distance record already belongs to Solar Impulse when Borscherg flew 1099.3 km from Switzerland to Spain in May 2012.

Phoenix to Dallas flight schedule

05:00 a.m. MST (02:00 p.m. Swiss Time): Take-off from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport USA
06:00 a.m. MST (03:00 p.m. Swiss Time): Heading east towards Roswell (NM) – ascending to an altitude of 14,000 ft
01:00 p.m. MST (10:00 p.m. Swiss Time): Passing Roswell continues direction Abilene – cruising altitude 27,000 ft
02:30 p.m. CDT (09:30 p.m. Swiss Time): Flying over Hobbs – border with Texas continues direction DFW
01:00 a.m. CDT (08:00 am Swiss Time): Estimated landing at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

Across America Mission

3 May 2013: First leg San Francisco/Moffett Airfield – Phoenix/Sky Harbor
22 May 2013: Second leg Phoenix/Sky Harbor – Dallas/Fort Worth
End May – Early June 2013: Third leg Dallas/Fort Worth – St. Louis/Lambert Airport
Mid June 2013: Fourth leg St. Louis/Lambert Airport – Washington DC/Dulles
Early July 2013: Fifth and last leg Washington DC/Dulles – New York/JFK

Fly with us in the cockpit

The Solar Impulse team has set up a programme called "Fly with us in the cockpit" to create an influential global movement to promote the use of clean technology. Anyone can have their name carried in the cockpit of the solar airplane flying across the United States and show their support for clean technology.

• Become a Solar Impulse virtual passenger

Solar Impulse world records

Photo credit: Solar Impulse | Merz | Rezo.ch