File photo of "Solar Impulse 2". (Photo/Xinhua)
A solar-powered aircraft has completed the first-ever fuel-free flight around the world.
"Solar Impulse 2" has landed safely in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates this Tuesday after a 16-month voyage designed to promote the concept of renewable energy.
"Solar Impulse 2" began its landmark journey in March of last year from the same airport it arrived at in Abu Dhabi this Tuesday, covering around 40-thousand kilometers through close to 500-hours of flying.
The aircraft itself was first conceived by a pair of Swiss adventurers, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, who also piloted the aircraft.
Built with solar panels on its wings, "Solar Impulse 2" has a wingspan larger than a Boeing 747.
However, it only weighs as much as the average family car.
Bertrand Piccard, who had the honor of landing the plane in Abu Dhabi, says it's their hope others will be inspired by their journey.
"We have flown one after the other in the cockpit with Andre, 40,000 km without fuel, and now the demonstration is done. It means that the rest of the world has to take it further. We have to use these technologies. We have to stop listening to people who are afraid of changing their way of thinking. Solutions exist. They are profitable."
Piccard also says their 16-month journey can act as a lesson for the world.
"The history of aviation is a success for the history of energy, showing to the world that clean technologies and renewable energies are ready, they are mature, they can achieve impossible things."
The propeller-driven aircraft's 4 engines are powered exclusively by energy collected by the over 17-thousand solar cells built into the plane's wings.
Excess energy is stored in 4 batteries during daylight hours, which allows the plane to keep flying during the night.
During its flights, "Solar Impusle 2" would fly at heights of around 9-thousand meters, but with an average speed of between 45 and 90-kilometers per hour, making their journey's much longer than conventional-powered aircraft.
"Solar Impulse 2" made 16 different stopovers during its trip around the world, including an extended stay in China last year due to unfavorable weather conditions.
