
The Impossible Flight Preview
Preview: Season 45 Episode 3 | 30sVideo has Closed Captions
For the first time, two intrepid pilots fly a solar-powered airplane around the world.
On March 9, 2015, Solar Impulse II took off from Abu Dhabi on one of the greatest aviation adventures of our time: the first solar-powered flight around the world. Together with a team of brilliant engineers, two visionary pilots—Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg—designed and built Solar Impulse from scratch, even though top airplane manufacturers told them it would be “impossible to control.”
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National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.

The Impossible Flight Preview
Preview: Season 45 Episode 3 | 30sVideo has Closed Captions
On March 9, 2015, Solar Impulse II took off from Abu Dhabi on one of the greatest aviation adventures of our time: the first solar-powered flight around the world. Together with a team of brilliant engineers, two visionary pilots—Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg—designed and built Solar Impulse from scratch, even though top airplane manufacturers told them it would be “impossible to control.”
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
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Pilot André Borschberg reflects on his experience achieving what seemed impossible. (52s)
Video has Closed Captions
Pilot André Borschberg describes how it feels to fly in a plane entirely powered by the su (57s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipNational Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.