Solar plane landing in former ‘oil capital of the world’ was no coincidence, says Emirati team member

Emirati Hasan Al Redaini will be sending periodic updates as he travels with Solar Impulse 2, which is circumnavigating the globe using solar power.

Solar Impulse 2 after landing at Tulsa, Oklahoma, on its round-the-world flight. Reuters

Using the power of the Sun to cross the United States is not as easy as one might think.

Finding a clear path through the skies can be challenging, with seasonal changes and whirling tornadoes disrupting potential routes. Solar Impulse 2 depends heavily on weather patterns, making the task of mapping a route often taxing.

A talented group of meteorologists and engineers in our Mission Control Centre in Monaco relentlessly study weather forecasts and evaluate the conditions that the aircraft can withstand. They are the guardians of the pilots during flights, ensuring a clear path to our next destination.

After staying in Phoenix for more than one week, we decided to fly to Tulsa rather than Kansas City because it provided a clear flight path.

Authorities at Tulsa International Airport were cooperative in accommodating the plane. Our team and pilots are thankful for their kind hospitality and assistance in enabling this last-minute change.

Changes are inevitable when you are working in aviation. Crossing the Pacific Ocean, I was already prepared for the rapid rate with which routes change. One thing this team has in common is being dynamic and spontaneous – it must be in our DNA.

Was Tulsa a coincidental stop? Maybe.

The second largest city in Oklahoma, Tulsa was once hailed “the Oil Capital of the World” . Since its establishment in 1917, the energy sector dominated the city’s economy for decades. However, after the economic downturn in the 1980s, Tulsa developed a diversification strategy to build a sustainable economy. It successfully expanded into major industries such as aerospace, finance, technology, telecommunications and manufacturing.

Today, the aerospace industry is the city’s largest employer. American Airlines maintenance base is at Tulsa International Airport and 60 per cent of the state’s export production comes from Tulsa. Tulsa’s current motto is “A New Kind of Energy”.

Does this sound familiar? Absolutely.

I would like to thank the UAE Counsul General in Los Angeles, Abdulla Alsaboosi, for attending the take-off from Phoenix, representing Abu Dhabi and Masdar’s support for this historic project. I would also like to thank Marie Helene and Dalal Chamas, consulate staff who helped to coordinate engagement activities.

Hasan Al Redaini works for Mubadala. He is travelling with the Solar Impulse team on their round-the-world flight attempt to assist in lectures and demonstrations.