Solar-powered flight plan

A TEAM of Swiss adventurers are preparing their solar-powered plane for its first international flight next month.

The Solar Impulse team says the flights to Belgium and France are a big challenge because the plane will need to navigate across international air traffic networks.

The single-seater prototype with the wingspan of a Boeing 777 made its 2009 maiden flight in Switzerland and further tests have all taken place there.

Pilot Andre Borschberg said the success of the first cross-border flights depends on the team receiving

authorisation from national authorities.