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An experimental aircraft that draws its power from the Sun is making a round-the-clock test flight. The aim is to assess whether the plane can fly in darkness, using solar cells on its wings to generate enough power to stay in the air for 24 hours.
The HB-SIA plane, which took off from Switzerland, has the weight of a family car but the wingspan of a big airliner. The test flight was initially due to take place last week but was postponed because of a technical problem.
Pilot Andre Borschberg is to take the aircraft to an altitude of 27,900 feet (8,500m) by late Wednesday. A decision will then be made whether to fly the prototype through the night using solar power stored in its batteries.
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