Night flight for solar plane

By The Newsroom
Published 8th Jul 2010, 18:23 BST
Updated 8th Jul 2010, 22:45 BST
AN EXPERIMENTAL solar-powered plane completed its first 24-hour test flight successfully yesterday, proving that the aircraft can collect enough energy from the sun during the day to stay aloft all night.

The test brings the Swiss-led project one step closer to its goal of circling the globe using only energy from the sun.

Pilot Andre Borschberg eased the Solar Impulse on to the runway at Payerne airfield, about 30 miles south-west of the Swiss capital Bern at 0700 GMT.

Helpers rushed to stabilise the pioneering plane as it touched down, ensuring that its 207ft wingspan didn't scrape the ground and topple the craft.