FAI International Drones Conference and Expo

André Borschberg

H55

Heading the Solar Impulse project together with Bertrand Piccard, André Borschberg converted the vision of a solar airplane of unlimited autonomy into reality by building up the technical team, leading the design, construction and test of two prototypes, and organizing flight missions. The result was the successful completion of the first-ever circumnavigation of the globe in a solar airplane without a drop of fuel. In 2015, during the Japan-to-Hawaii leg of the mission, he flew for the first time ever 5 days and 5 nights non-stop over the Pacific Ocean and breaking the world record for the longest solo flight in an airplane of any kind. In addition to conceiving the revolutionary aircraft and piloting it around the globe, André has led the evolution of aviation technology into new, energy efficient solutions that will also serve and transform a number of industries.