Solar-powered plane Solar Impulse-2 has began its round the world flight after taking off from Abu Dhabi, heading east to Muscat in Oman.
Over the next five months, Solar Impulse 2 will skip from continent to continent, crossing both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans in the process.
Andre Borschberg was at the controls of the single-seater vehicle as it took off at 07:12 local time.
He will share the pilot duties in due course with fellow Swiss, Bertrand Piccard.
The plan is stop off at various locations around the globe, to rest and to carry out maintenance, and also to spread a campaigning message about clean technologies.
Today’s leg to Oman will cover about 400km and take an estimated 12 hours.
Details of the journey are being relayed on Solar Impulse website.
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