Solar-powered plane lands in China on historic flight

World Today

China Solar PlaneGround crew members move a solar powered plane into a hangar after it landed at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, Tuesday, March 31, 2015. (AP Photo)

Solar Impulse 2, the world’s largest solar-powered plane, arrived in China’s southwestern Municipality of Chongqing early Tuesday morning.

The plane departed from Mandalay of Myanmar on Monday morning and arrived in the Jiangbei International Airport at 01:35.

Solar Impulse 2, the world's only solar powered aircraft

Solar Impulse 2, the world’s only solar powered aircraft, takes off at the Mandalay International Airport in Myanmar on March 30, 2015. Solar Impulse 2 took off from the Mandalay, the second largest city of Myanmar for Chongqing, China, its fifth flight after embarking on a landmark journey to circumnavigate the globe powered solely by the sun. AFP PHOTO / YE AUNG THU

The globe-trotting plane began its journey from Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, on March 9. Chongqing is the fifth leg of its world tour.

The wingspan of the aircraft is 72 meters (236 feet), which is wider than Boeing 747 jumbo jet, but it only weighs 2.3 tonnes.

Airspace restrictions were imposed by air traffic controllers when Solar Impulse 2 was landing in case the light aircraft was disturbed by turbulence from nearby airliners.

The plane will head for east China’s Nanjing City after a short stay in Chongqing.

After leaving Nanjing, the plane would embark on a five-day, five-night flight to Hawaii across the Pacific Ocean.

Report by The Associated Press and CCTV News