The solar-powered plane Solar Impulse 2, piloted by Swiss aviator Bertrand Piccard, is pictured during take-off at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, U.S. in this handout received June 20, 2016.(Photo/Agencies)
Pilot illness and strong winds delayed the departure of Solar Impulse 2 on the final leg of its round-the-world flight powered solely by energy from the sun.
The plane was scheduled to take off from Cairo on Saturday to fly to Abu-Dhabi.
Andre Borschberg is one of the plane's two pilots. He says the demanding physical requirements of piloting the special aircraft are the main reason for the decision.
"We were at the limits in terms of wind, in terms of weather, and we also were at the limit in terms of the pilot health." I tell you, it's not an easy decision but it's a wise decision. For safety reasons of course we prefer to stay. We knew Bertrand would fly for at least two days if not three days, climbing very high, using oxygen masks, in this situation, you have to be as a person really well, so I'm very happy we took this decision."
Solar Impulse 2 began its flight around the world in March 2015 from Abu-Dhabi.
