Solar Impulse, the aeroplane that is powered only by the sun, has landed in Hawaii after making a historic 8000km flight across the Pacific from Japan.
Solar Impulse 2 pilot Bertrand Piccard(L) and pilot Andre Borschberg, wave after Borschberg landed at Kalaeloa Airport, Hawaii. Photo: AFP
Pilot Andre Borschberg brought the vehicle gently down onto the runway at Kalaeloa Airport just before 06:00 local time.
The distance covered and the time spent in the air - 118 hours - are records for manned, solar-powered flight.
The duration is also an absolute record for a solo, un-refuelled journey.
Mr Borschberg's time betters that of the American adventurer Steve Fossett who spent 76 hours aloft in a single-seater jet in 2006.
Despite being in the cockpit for so long, the Swiss pilot told the BBC that he did not feel that tired: "Interestingly, not really.
"I am also astonished. We got so much support during the flight from so many people; it gave me so much energy."
He said he looked forward to having a shower and visiting one of the many steakhouses suggested to him on the way into Hawaii's O'ahu island.
"We have some work to do, and to meet people. Because I am sure a lot of people will want to see the aeroplane and discuss its technologies, but there is no way we shouldn't try some surfing," he joked.
Photo: AFP
Meeting Mr Borschberg in Kalaeloa was his partner on the Solar Impulse project, Bertrand Piccard.
The pair are sharing flying duties in their quest to circumnavigate the globe - an effort they began in Abu Dhabi, UAE, back in March.
It is Mr Piccard who will now fly the next leg from Hawaii to Phoenix, Arizona.
That will not be quite as far as the leg just completed, but it will still likely take four days and nights.
-BBC
