Solar Impulse takes off from Arizona

The flight is expected to take 18 hours and will be piloted by the co-founder of the project, Bertrand Piccard, as the team makes its way to New York.

Consul General Abdullah Al Saboosi from the UAE consulate in Los Angeles with the Solar Impulse pilots. Courtesy Solar Impulse

Solar Impulse 2, took off from Arizona on Thursday bound for Oklahoma on the latest leg of its circumnavigation attempt using only solar energy.

The flight was expected to take 18 hours and was being piloted by Swiss co-founder of the project Bertrand Piccard as the team made its way to New York.

“We have found a clear weather window that gives way for a 17 hour and 50 minute flight to complete the flight to reach the heart of the United States,” a statement on the project website read. “The objective is to reach New York as soon as possible.”

The take-off date and destination was kept under wraps from the project’s international followers as Solar Impulse mission control, based in Monaco, waited for a clear weather window to make the next flight.

“It is possible to run the world with #cleantech. As an explorer I am ready for this flight w/ #Si2,” Piccard said on his Twitter account.

Abdullah Al Saboosi, the consul general from the UAE Consulate in Los Angeles, was on-site for take-off.

“This trip is a testimony to Abu Dhabi leadership in sustainable and clean energy,” he said. “I am so proud of Masdar for supporting such an innovative initiative, pushing the boundaries on what can be done for a better, cleaner and sustainable future. I wish the pilots a safe journey in reaching the finish line to Abu Dhabi.”

Solar Impulse 2 landed in Phoenix, Arizona, last week after a 16-hour flight from California. "We are glad that we are advancing into the mission as we're getting closer to our final destination, Abu Dhabi," said Emirati Hasan Al Redaini, 25, a member of the media relations team. "Getting through the US right now, during weather changes, shows the world that clean technologies are a viable solution in our current times."

Last month, Piccard successfully completed a trans-Pacific three-day flight from Hawaii to California.

The Masdar-sponsored project began its journey last year, taking off from Abu Dhabi with plans of going around the world using only the power of the Sun.