PAYERNE: A sun-powered plane made a successful test flight on Monday, clearing a vital hurdle towards its goal of a round-the-world trip next year, its pilot and mission chiefs said.

‘Solar Impulse 2’ carried out a flight lasting two hours and 15 minutes, half an hour longer than scheduled, German test pilot Markus Scher­del said. “Everything worked as expected,” Scherdel told a press conference at an air base in Payerne, Swi­tzerland. “ ... it’s a good start and I’m looking forward to flying the aeroplane the next time.”

Built from carbon fibre, the 2.3-tonne plane has four electrical motors powered by solar cells.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2014