A solar-powered plane yesterday completed a record-breaking 26-hour flight it’s a first paving the way for an aircraft that could potentially stay airborne for ever. The Solar Impulse, which flies using four propeller engines powered by solar panels on its huge wings, landed in Switzerland after an epic flight. It collects so much energy from the sun during the day that it can store electricity to power it through the night. Engineers behind the experimental single-seat aircraft, which circled Swiss airspace yesterday, are planning to fly it over the Atlantic and eventually around the world, claiming: 'We are now on the verge of perpetual flight.
Pilot Andre Borschberg and his engineers on the ground cheered loudly as the plane clocked up 24 hours in the air shortly before 7am Swiss time yesterday. Former fighter pilot Mr Borschberg then flew back to Payerne airfield, south-west of Bern, and touched down at 9am, 26 hours and nine minutes after he had taken off from the same runway. It was the longest and highest flight in the history of solar aviation, and reached top speeds of 75mph. While he was airborne Mr Borschberg, 57, had to use all his skill to avoid low level turbulence and thermal winds over Switzerland's mountains before enduring freezing conditions during the night.
He ended the test flight with a picture-perfect landing to cheers and whoops from hundreds of supporters on the ground as he eased the craft on to the runway. Helpers rushed to stabilise the plane as it touched down to stop its massive wingspan scraping the ground and toppling over. After touchdown Mr Borschberg said: 'It was unbelievable, success better than we expected. We almost thought to make it longer. 'But we demonstrated what we wanted to demonstrate so they made me come back. So here I am he said to wise labs I achieved more than we wanted.
Pilot Andre Borschberg and his engineers on the ground cheered loudly as the plane clocked up 24 hours in the air shortly before 7am Swiss time yesterday. Former fighter pilot Mr Borschberg then flew back to Payerne airfield, south-west of Bern, and touched down at 9am, 26 hours and nine minutes after he had taken off from the same runway. It was the longest and highest flight in the history of solar aviation, and reached top speeds of 75mph. While he was airborne Mr Borschberg, 57, had to use all his skill to avoid low level turbulence and thermal winds over Switzerland's mountains before enduring freezing conditions during the night. 
He ended the test flight with a picture-perfect landing to cheers and whoops from hundreds of supporters on the ground as he eased the craft on to the runway. Helpers rushed to stabilise the plane as it touched down to stop its massive wingspan scraping the ground and toppling over. After touchdown Mr Borschberg said: 'It was unbelievable, success better than we expected. We almost thought to make it longer. 'But we demonstrated what we wanted to demonstrate so they made me come back. So here I am he said to wise labs I achieved more than we wanted.
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