Solar Impulse, “Borschberg is one of the best pilots I … – Le Figaro

INTERVIEW – After nearly five days of flight, Solar Impulse arrived Friday in Hawaii after the longest leg of the world tour undertaken by André Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard . Interview with Raymond Clerc, the flight director.

Raymond Clerc, flight director and head of the mission from the Monaco Solar Impulse control center, followed throughout the flight performed over four days and 21 hours per André Borschberg, party June 28 from Japan to reach Hawaii on Friday. BBC interviewed him a few hours before arrival.

LE FIGARO. – How fared the aircraft during this long stage of nearly five days

Raymond Clerc?. – There were small technical problems, but it was predictable. With such a long flight, it has rather been surprisingly little for a machine like Solar Impulse, so pushed to its limit! When the driver sits, it is very important that the autopilot takes over. But this autopilot monitoring system responsible for preventing the driver if the flight parameters out of the envelope, broke down. We had to put in place a procedure that was scheduled to monitor the flight from Monaco’s control center.

This procedure could she have a problem?

You can view the cockpit like a video game, and if there is a concern you press a big red button that triggers the plane an alarm to wake the driver. In total this adds 4 seconds: 2 to receive the data via the satellite link, then 2 for our alert to be sent to the aircraft. As for the drivers, their reaction times were measured in tests on land: when the EEG showed that they were really asleep, they put in case of alarm 6-8 seconds to wake up, get back in the sitting position and take control. This makes a total of 10 to 12 seconds, the aircraft can remain stable 15 seconds in case of problems autopilot.

Three seconds margin … It’s very short!

It should not be missed. But with this plane, it must be missing in any field! Similarly, the batteries showed 5-8% charge in the morning, leaving us an hour flight in case of problems. Had to be found quickly because the sun above the Pacific if the plane would crash the pilot had his parachute and lifeboat … But 4% of battery, it’s enough if it’s fine. The key is not to fall below 2% charge, as this damages the batteries.

Why entrusted this somewhat unusual step André Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard not, the another “father” of Solar Impulse?

Bertrand Piccard is a pioneer, and it is amazing to work with him and to feel that conviction which animates that can push the limits. But the journey was very long and complicated, so we preferred to give the most experienced driver of both. André Borschberg is one of the best professional pilots I know, he was a fighter pilot, helicopter … Even after such a long journey and despite the fatigue, I am getting no concern for the landing: it goes Us a demonstration.