Solar Impulse 2 completed its historic solar-powered flight around the globe with the logistics support of Chapman Freeborn and Volga-Dnepr Airlines.
Chapman Freeborn and Volga-Dnepr provided logistical assistance with the provision of both cargo and passenger chartered aircraft to transport spare parts, a mobile hangar and the technical team to support the record-breaking round-the-world trip. Other support included a Volga-Dnepr IL-76TD-90VD and an ATR-72 support aircraft and Chapman Freeborn’s Wing 24 flight support team to help manage project operations including flight permits and customs clearance, ground handling and immigration arrangements.
Chapman Freeborn cargo business development director, Pierre van der Stichele says: “The project required all of our global charter market expertise as we were working around Si2’s changeable flight schedules – with support solutions required in Asia, North America, Europe, and North Africa.”
“We would also like to thank Volga-Dnepr for its professionalism for assisting in ensuring the cargo always reached its destination safely and on time.”
Volga-Dnepr Airlines regional sales manager, Georgy Sokolov says: “Volga-Dnepr Group is strongly committed to improving the environmental efficiency of its fleet and to embracing all levels of aviation innovation so it was a special pleasure for us to play a long-term role in the historic achievement of the Solar Impulse 2 team.”
Solar Impulse is the first aircraft to fly day and night without fuel or polluting emissions and was piloted around the world in stages by Swiss pioneers, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg. The journey started in March 2015 from Abu Dhabi and returned on 26 July 2016 after a 17-leg journey covering 43,041 kilometres, completing 23 days of flight.
