Solar-powered plane completes first leg of round-the-world flight

Bryony Jones
By Bryony Jones, CNN
3 minute read
Updated 1:00 PM EDT, Wed March 11, 2015
Solar Impulse 2, seen above the Pyramids of Giza on its approach to Cairo, Egypt.
Solar Impulse 2, seen above the Pyramids of Giza on its approach to Cairo, Egypt.
Solar Impulse 2
Solar Impulse 2 aircraft lands at Sevilla airport on June 23, 2016, after a 71-hour journey from New York powered only by sunlight.
Solar Impulse 2 aircraft lands at Sevilla airport on June 23, 2016, after a 71-hour journey from New York powered only by sunlight.
CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The Spanish Air Force's Patrulla Aguila formation team performs past the sun-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft arriving few moments before landing at Sevilla airport on June 23, 2016.
The Spanish Air Force's Patrulla Aguila formation team performs past the sun-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft arriving few moments before landing at Sevilla airport on June 23, 2016.
CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Solar Impulse 2 sits on the runway at JFK international airport prior to departing to cross the Atlantic on June 20, 2016.
Solar Impulse 2 sits on the runway at JFK international airport prior to departing to cross the Atlantic on June 20, 2016.
Solar Impulse/Revillard/Rezo.ch
Solar Impulse 2 flies over the Golden Gate Bridge as part of a fly-by of the San Francisco Bay after flying for two and half days from Hawaii.
Solar Impulse 2 flies over the Golden Gate Bridge as part of a fly-by of the San Francisco Bay after flying for two and half days from Hawaii.
Solar Impulse
Solar Impulse 2 departs Hawaii for the two-and-a-half day flight to California, the 9th leg of its round-the-world trip.
Solar Impulse 2 departs Hawaii for the two-and-a-half day flight to California, the 9th leg of its round-the-world trip.
JEAN REVILLARD/REZO
Pilot Bertrand Piccard prepares to take off from Kalaeloa Airport, Hawaii on April 21st 2016, en route to California. The round-the-world solar flight will take 500 flight hours and cover 35,000 km.
Pilot Bertrand Piccard prepares to take off from Kalaeloa Airport, Hawaii on April 21st 2016, en route to California. The round-the-world solar flight will take 500 flight hours and cover 35,000 km.
JEAN REVILLARD/REZO
The Solar Impulse 2 is seen at the Kalaeloa Airport in Kapolei, Hawaii, on Friday, July 3. The solar-powered plane, alternately piloted by Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard, is attempting to fly around the world without fuel.
The Solar Impulse 2 is seen at the Kalaeloa Airport in Kapolei, Hawaii, on Friday, July 3. The solar-powered plane, alternately piloted by Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard, is attempting to fly around the world without fuel.
Marco Garcia/AP
Borschberg approaches Honolulu Airport on July 3 after a record-breaking five-day journey across the Pacific Ocean from Japan.
Borschberg approaches Honolulu Airport on July 3 after a record-breaking five-day journey across the Pacific Ocean from Japan.
Jean Revillard/Solar Impulse 2/AP
Solar Impulse is seen at sunrise on Monday, June 29, shortly after taking off from the international airport in Nagoya, Japan. The aircraft's Japan-to-Hawaii trip was the most ambitious leg of its quest to circumnavigate the globe powered only by the sun.
Solar Impulse is seen at sunrise on Monday, June 29, shortly after taking off from the international airport in Nagoya, Japan. The aircraft's Japan-to-Hawaii trip was the most ambitious leg of its quest to circumnavigate the globe powered only by the sun.
SOLAR IMPULSE/AFP/Getty Images
The solar-powered plane prepares to take off from Nagoya on June 29.
The solar-powered plane prepares to take off from Nagoya on June 29.
Jean Revillard/SI2/Global Newsroom/Getty Images
A mobile hangar is opened on Tuesday, June 23, as the plane is prepared for a possible takeoff. The plane had been waiting in Japan for three weeks because of bad weather.
A mobile hangar is opened on Tuesday, June 23, as the plane is prepared for a possible takeoff. The plane had been waiting in Japan for three weeks because of bad weather.
TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images
The mobile hangar at the Nagoya airport, as seen on Wednesday, June 3.
The mobile hangar at the Nagoya airport, as seen on Wednesday, June 3.
TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images
The Solar Impulse 2 touches down in Nagoya on Monday, June 1. The plane made an unscheduled stop after mission controllers decided the weather was not right for the plane to cross the Pacific Ocean.
The Solar Impulse 2 touches down in Nagoya on Monday, June 1. The plane made an unscheduled stop after mission controllers decided the weather was not right for the plane to cross the Pacific Ocean.
TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images
People take pictures as the plane takes off from Nanjing, China, on Sunday, May 31.
People take pictures as the plane takes off from Nanjing, China, on Sunday, May 31.
JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images
Piccard sits in the cockpit right after landing in Chongqing, China, on Sunday, March 31. He had just completed the fifth leg of the global trip.
Piccard sits in the cockpit right after landing in Chongqing, China, on Sunday, March 31. He had just completed the fifth leg of the global trip.
Solarimpulse
Borschberg and Piccard are welcomed by a crowd of reporters after landing in Chongqing.
Borschberg and Piccard are welcomed by a crowd of reporters after landing in Chongqing.
Solarimpulse