LEG #5: Takeoff MANDALAY - CHONGQING

Monday 30th March 2015

March 30, 2015: The solar aircraft departed from the Mandalay International Airport this morning at 3:36 am local time (9:06 pm GMT [March 29th]) attempting the most challenging flight since having started the Round-The-World journey, to reach Chongqing (China).

The anticipated 19 hours of flying time and 1,375 kilometers of distance covered will be physically demanding for Bertrand Piccard, due to the prolonged use of oxygen required in the unpressurized cockpit, in which I will face temperatures descending to minus 20 degrees celsius.

The flight will be demanding with respect to the steep ascent and limited time allowed for high altitude preparation as Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) will fly over the Himalaya mountains. Si2 is subsequently expected to remain at a flying altitude of roughly 7,300 meters during the majority of the flight.