Solar plane touches down

An experimental solar-powered plane landed safely today after completing its first 24-hour test flight.

The record feat brings it one step closer to the makers’ ultimate aim of circling the globe using only energy from the sun.

The plane, with a 207ft wingspan, touched down at Payerne airfield about 31 miles south west of the Swiss capital Bern at 8am UK time.

The Solar Impulse team said the plane’s 12,000 solar cells managed to store enough energy during the day to last through the night. They said it proves the plane can stay in the air non-stop around the clock.

The prototype four-engine aircraft was steered by Andre Borschberg, a former fighter jet pilot from Switzerland.