Solar Plane Nears Goal of Circling Globe as Atlantic Leg Begins
- Solar Impulse takes off from New York, headed to Seville
- Pilots are finishing last legs of round-the-world journey
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A solar plane took a further step toward circling the globe as Swiss pilot Bertrand Piccard began a trip across the Atlantic Ocean that’s expected to take about four days.
Piccard, the 58-year-old adventurer who made the first trip in a hot-air balloon around the globe, took off at about 2:30 a.m. from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, heading for Seville. Prince Albert gave the final go-ahead from the project’s control center, which is located in Monaco.
“It’s the moment to go,” Piccard said before departing. “Thanks to all of you and see you on the other side.”