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Composites

Solar Impulse completes round-the-world flight powered by Décision’s composite structures

Décision and NTPT collaborated to build Solar Impulse 2's parts using NTPT's Thin Ply Technology carbon fibre prepreg.

29th July 2016

Innovation in Textiles
 |  Penthalaz/Ecublens

Transport/​Aerospace

Décision SA, an official supplier of the composites structures for the Solar Impulse team, and North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT), a leader in lightweight prepreg materials, are celebrating Solar Impulse 2's successful completion of its round-the-world solar-powered flight.

Décision was responsible for the production of the main carbon fibre composite structures for both the HB-SIA prototype and the current Solar Impulse 2 aircraft, including the wing's longitudinal beams, the fuselage, vertical and horizontal stabilisers, the engine gondolas and the pilot's cockpit.

The zero-fuel Solar Impulse 2 aircraft landed in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, completing the final leg of its 40,000 km trip.

Lightweight composite structures

Décision, based in Ecublens, Switzerland, is proud to have collaborated with Solar Impulse since the beginning of the project in May 2003, and has become one of the key partners, the company reports.

Décision and NTPT collaborated to build Solar Impulse 2's parts using NTPT's Thin Ply Technology carbon fibre prepreg. According to the manufacturer, this technology enabled the production of extremely lightweight, high performance composites structures that ensured the safety and reliability of the aircraft on its journey around the world.

Exciting achievement

Décision and NTPT congratulate Solar Impulse founders Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg on their vision to fly an ultra-light aircraft around the world powered only by renewable energy.

“This achievement opens up exciting, new prospects for the world of aeronautics, particularly in the development of solar-powered drones that could remain at high altitude for several months,” the company explains. “Décision and NTPT wish Bertrand and André good luck in all their future challenges and look forward to continuing their successful collaboration.”

www.decision.ch

www.thinplytechnology.com

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