Solar Impulse test flight dedicated to Abu Dhabi Crown Prince

Bertrand Piccard, Solar Impulse co-founder and pilot, said the Crown Prince had supported the project since its beginnings.

Mr Piccard’s flight on Monday was the final test flight ahead of the round-the-world trip. Solar Impulse / Reuters

ABU DHABI // Bertrand Piccard dedicated his first Solar Impulse 2 test flight on Monday to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Mr Piccard, Solar Impulse co-founder and pilot, said the Crown Prince had supported the project since its beginnings.

“I dedicate my first flight here in Abu Dhabi with Solar Impulse to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who has supported our project since the first time I met him 10 years ago,” said Mr Piccard.

With only a week left until the start of the round-the-world trip, Mr Piccard’s flight on Monday was the final test flight ahead of Solar Impulse’s attempt to circumnavigate the world without a drop of fuel.

In the coming months, Mr Piccard and Andre Borschberg, fellow pilot and co-founder, will take turns in the single-seater cockpit.

They share the collective vision of Solar Impulse and Masdar for a more sustainable future driven by innovation.

Solar Impulse has been hosted by Masdar and Abu Dhabi since January as the team makes its final preparations and conducts test flights ahead of its five-month round-the-world solar-powered flight attempt.

“We extend our deepest and esteemed gratitude and respects to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, and to Masdar for their support in realising this historic flight,” said Mr Piccard.

Throughout its stay in the capital, Solar Impulse inspired thousands of young people, university students and industry professionals across the UAE, through community engagement, said Masdar.