Here's a video from TED by Bertrand Piccard talking about his attempt to circumnavigate the globe, and also his new project in the form of Solar Impulse:
Mr Piccard's talk is interesting in the sense that he is talking about next-generation aviation. Solar technologies, or electrical powered airplanes are a major area of interest for not only General Aviation, but also by the Military and government. With rising fuel prices, the idea of a solar powered, or electrical aircraft is becoming more and more popular. And, with green technologies the buzz work of the decade, they are also becoming more and more desired. For both reasons, These aircraft technologies are of interest to the future of aviation.
Although I don't believe the technology to carry people across the ocean in a solar powered aircraft exists today, it is certainly going to one day. Mr. Piccard brilliantly illustrates this towards the end of his talk: Charles Lindberg barely made his trans-atlantic flight; yet today it is done thousands of times a day, with thousands of people, on jets a thousand times bigger. Technologies will get us there...its only a matter of time.
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