Solar Impulse 2 readies for Pacific Ocean crossing

A solar plane on a round-the-world flight is expected to take off on the longest leg of its journey the crossing of the Pacific Oceanas early as Tuesday.

The exact date of take-off will be announced online atwww.solarimpulse.com.

When it does take off, theSolar Impulse 2 will depart some time after4 p.m. ET from Nanjing,China, whenever weather conditions are favourable. The flight from China to Hawaiiwill take at least five days and five nights.

The plane began its 35,000-kilometre journey in Abu Dhabi on March 9. It is expected to land back in Abu Dhabi in late July or August.

The fuel-free aircraftis powered by more than 17,000 solar cells on its wings that recharge the plane's batteries, enabling it to fly during the day or night.

The plane's journey can be followed online atwww.solarimpulse.com.