Solar plane prepares for international flight
The Solar Impulse team says the flights to Belgium and France are a big challenge because the plane will need to navigate across international air traffic networks.
The single-seater prototype with the wingspan of a Boeing 777 made its 2009 maiden flight in Switzerland and further tests have all taken place there.
Pilot Andre Borschberg said the success of the first cross-border flights depends on the team receiving authorization from national authorities.
The team says it will ready the plane from May 2 and take off to Brussels when weather conditions are right.
The plane is expected at the 49th International Paris Air Show from June 20-26.
Related News

Consumers Coalition wants Manitoba Hydro?s proposed rate increase rejected
WINNIPEG - The Consumers Coalition is urging the Public Utilities Board (PUB) to reject Manitoba Hydro’s current interim rate increase application.
Hydro is requesting a five per cent jump in electricity rates starting on January 1, claiming drought conditions warrant the increase but the coalition disagrees, saying a two per cent increase would be sufficient.
The coalition, which includes Harvest Manitoba, the Consumers’ Association of Canada-Manitoba, and the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg, said a 5 per cent rate increase would put an unnecessary strain on consumer budgets, especially for those on fixed incomes or living up north.
"We feel that, in many ways,…