Solar Impulse begins trans-Atlantic crossing

• 

• 

  Bertrand Piccard says an emotional goodbye to wife Michelle before beginning preparations to fly the Solar Impulse plane to Spain. Trevor Collens / AFP

• 

  Piccard prepares to takes off. Trevor Collens / AFP

• 

  Solar Impulse 2 departed on Monday morning from New York in what is expected to be the most challenging segment of its round-the-world journey. Trevor Collens / AFP

• 

  Piccard prepares to takes off. EPA

ABU DHABI // Solar Impulse 2 left New York on Monday morning in what is expected to be one of the most challenging parts of its record-making, round-the-world journey.

The solar-powered plane took off just after 10.30am UAE time from John F Kennedy International Airport. “SI2’s cockpit is now closed. Here I go for four days alone over the #Atlantic without a drop of fuel,” pilot Bertrand Piccard tweeted just before take-off.

The flight will take the plane across the Atlantic and it is expected to land in Seville, Spain, on Thursday.

“I want to wish you a lot of pleasure – enjoy every minute,” said Solar Impulse 2 co-pilot Andre Borschberg as the plane awaited clearance. “We will be with you.”

BREAKING @bertrandpiccard takes off from #NYC to attempt the crossing of the #Atlantic & prove that #futureisclean pic.twitter.com/bFH1dI8YHm

At mission control in Monaco, the state’s ruler Prince Albert said: “This is going to be an incredible part of the journey and we are with you all the way. Have a fantastic flight.”

The prince then gave the final clearance for Mr Piccard’s attempt at the first solo transatlantic crossing in a solar-powered plane.

An official at mission control said the flight was expected to last about 90 hours, keeping him in the air for four days and four nights, in the longest part of the journey so far.

After 2:30 hours since the takeoff in #NYC and 130km covered, the sun start to come out ☀️ #futureisclean pic.twitter.com/X1mZodGIjY

Emirati Hasan Al Redaini, 25, who works in group communications at Mubadala and is travelling with the Solar Impulse 2 crew, said: “The Atlantic has always been symbolic in aviation. We hope one day clean, electric planes can fly with passengers.

“As we cross the Atlantic, we’re getting one step closer to our final destination – Abu Dhabi, where it all began.”

Majid Al Suwaidi, the UAE Consul General in New York City, watched the take-off from JFK Airport.

“With each new leg in this mission, the message of a successful partnership in innovation between the Solar Impulse and its host city, Abu Dhabi, rings louder across the globe,” he said. “The UAE leadership has long been committed to becoming a responsible global energy leader and a benchmark for sustainable development.”

The Masdar-sponsored project started in Abu Dhabi in March last year, and the team hopes to finish its journey in summer, with Solar Impulse 2 returning to the capital.