Solar-powered plane completes Moroccan desert flight

PERSISMA – A solar-powered plane early Friday completed a flight over the Moroccan desert to showcase renewable energy, as a key summit in Rio discussed “greening” the world economy.

Swiss-made solar-powered aircraft the Solar Impulse piloted by Andre Borschberg of Switzerland prepares for take-off from Rabat.

The Swiss-made Solar Impulse landed in Ouarzazate at 26 minutes after midnight (2326 GMT) after having taken off from Rabat at dawn on Thursday.

“Once again, the flight was magnificent,” Borschberg said shortly before landing.

Earlier, during the flight, pilot Andre Borschberg told AFP by satellite telephone from his cockpit said he was optimistic about the chances of success.

“The sky is magnificently beautiful and I am pretty confident of arriving at the destination,” pilot Andre Borschberg said.

“I can see far away the Moroccan coast in a superb blue … Today everything seems possible. In Ouarzazate, the weather forecast is good,” he added.

Image : Swiss-made solar-powered aircraft the Solar Impulse piloted by Andre Borschberg of Switzerland prepares for take-off from Rabat, Photo: EPA Source: telegraph.co.uk/