A Swiss solar-powered plane took off from Abu Dhabi early Monday, marking the start of the first attempt to fly around the world without a drop of fuel.
Solar Impulse founder Andre Borschberg was at the controls of the single-seater when it took off from the Al Bateen Executive Airport. Borschberg will trade off piloting with Solar Impulse co-founder Bertrand Piccard during stop-overs.
The Swiss pilots say their aim is to create awareness about replacing "old polluting technologies with clean and efficient technologies.''
The plane is expected to reach its destination Muscat, Oman after about 10 hours of flight.
Some legs of the trip, such as over the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, will mean five or six straight days of flying solo.
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