The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Solar plane on last leg of epic trip
An experimental solarpowered plane took off from Cairo for Abu Dhabi on the last leg of its globecircling voyage yesterday.
Solar Impulse 2 is expected to land in Abu Dhabi after a 48-hour flight.
“Just took off from Cairo to achieve the 1st roundthe-world solar flight. A dream I have since 1999,” pilot Bertrand Piccard tweeted. The around-theworld voyage began in March 2015 in Abu Dhabi.
The wings of Solar Impulse 2, which are wider than those of a Boeing 747, are equipped with 17,000 solar cells that power propellers and charge batteries. The plane runs on stored energy at night.
The project, which is estimated to cost more than £75million, began in 2002 to highlight the importance of renewable energy and the spirit of innovation.