Solar-powered Plane Makes Second Bid To Cross The Pacific Ocean

A solar-powered plane is making its second bid at a record-breaking flight across the Pacific Ocean. Solar Impulse took off from Nagoya Airfield in Japan at 18:03 GMT on Sunday and is scheduled to land in Hawaii in approximately 120 hours. BBC reports:

Solar Impulse said on its website that pilot Andre Borschberg had passed the point of no return. The team has spent nearly two months waiting for a clear weather window to cross the Pacific. “Andre Borschberg has passed the point of no return and must now see this 5 days 5 nights flight through to the end,” Solar Impulse said on its website.

The pilot now no longer has the option to turn around and return to Japan, if the weather forecast changes. The first attempt to fly over the ocean was cut short after a change in the forecast forced an unscheduled landing. And another attempt to take off last Tuesday was cancelled at the last moment because of concerns about the conditions.

This time, the team will not be widely publicising the take-off until the plane is several hours into its flight, as it may need to turn back if the forecast changes.