SI2 is airborne !

500 people had tickets, but maybe 200 people came and waited til the end to see the Solar Impulse 2 fly on her next leg of the solar round-the-world flight.  At 2:00 AM those waiting in line were allowed behind barricades set up outside the hangar.  The wait began  . . .   Most people brought chairs and eats, but only so many got the front row seats, which was OK because they did move us around, and we had one false start.  About 3:15 AM, they pulled the plane out of the hangar, sideways, onto the tarmac, then using the front wheel (mostly) moved it over in front of the dignitaries waiting area.  We were more than the hangar's width away as you can see in the extra.  There was music, singing and blessings and speeches.   Then she was moved out further -  and sat.  Suddenly  we were being warned that the plane was coming back into the hangar, as the winds were 14 knots and too strong at this point.  So, back the plane slide into the hangar.  The alternate pilot, Andre Borschberg, then walked out to the barriers to explain, citing safety as the issue, and of course, protection of the plane.  It was still hopeful to go.  After a long wait, the barriers were moved to allow us to cross over to the front of the plane in the hangar.  We were told the pilot, Bertrand Piccard, while waiting, was taking one of his 20 minute naps (from the website, they use self-hypnosis).  About 5:10 AM, a flurry of activity and the plane was moved out of the hangar again.  No festivities this second time, many had already left.  The plane was taken further out and followed an escort with flashing lights out into position.   At this point, we were funneled through the now empty hangar and out the other side to another set of barricades with a better vantage point for take-off.  [wait]  At this point, the plane was pretty much indistinguishable in the lights of the runway, but the moon set and it was beginning to get lighter.  Then the information was passed that Honolulu Tower had cleared the plane for take-off!  Cheers!  A short wait and some eagle-eyes called there she was, airborne at about 6:15 AM.  It was really exciting to see in the early morning light, flying slowly, gaining altitude.  It flew above the Kalealoa Tower and then turned and went back out to sea.  Evidently the plane had to get itself out of Honolulu airspace as quickly as possible to allow regular activity to continue unimpeded.  So it flew the coastline up along our north and west shores, along Molokai and on its way across the big expanse of Pacific Ocean by solar power alone.  Early night planned, if I last that long. . .

Do go to the Solar Impulse website (which has professional pics)   here.

Extra 1  = First time rollout, waiting under a full moon
Extra 2  =  Plane coming out of the hangar sideways