"A solar plane took off for what could be the longest solo flight in history on Monday, with its Swiss pilot confronting the “moment of truth” of a journey around the Pacific Ocean and around the world.

The Solar Impulse 2 set off about 3am from Nagoya, Japan, en route to Hawaii, a trip expected to take five days and nights of continuous flight.

The Pacific crossing represents the most difficult leg of Andre Borschberg’s attempt to circumnavigate the world in a multi-stage flight."

Alan Yuhas reports for the Guardian June 28, 2015. [2]