Sun on the wings

The solar-powered HB-SIA prototype airplane made first successful night flight attempt at Payerne airport.

The solar-poweredHB-SIA prototype airplane made first successful night flight attempt at Payerne airport.

The aircraft reached an altitude of 28,543 feet and then came down to 4,921 feet and flew during the night on the batteries, charged during the day by 12,000 solar cells, which powered the four electric motors.

It flew for 26 hours and 9 minutes, setting the record for the longest and highest flight ever made by a solar plane.