Solar-powered Aircraft Makes First Flight

Solar Impulse, a Swiss-designed aircraft, made its first flight last week. Its developers hope to eventually fly the Solar Impulse around the world, but for now are satisfied with a "flea hop" of around 1,150 feet at an altitude of about three feet. Still, their first flight traveled almost 10 times as far as the first flight by the Wright Brothers, 106 years ago next week.

Mark Phelps is a senior editor at AVweb. He is an instrument rated private pilot and former owner of a Grumman American AA1B and a V-tail Bonanza.

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