Solar Impulse 2 leaves New York, begins Atlantic crossing

NEW YORK — The sun-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft set off from New York’s JFK airport early Monday, embarking on the transatlantic leg of its record-breaking flight around the world to promote renewable energy. The flight, piloted by Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard, is expected to take about 90 hours — during which Piccard will only take short naps — before landing at Spain’s Seville airport. “It’s my first time taking off from JFK,” Piccard said over a live feed from the aircraft as he headed into the night sky at approximately 2:30 a.m. (0630 GMT). The voyage marks the first solo transatlantic crossing in a solar-powered airplane, and is one of the most difficult legs in Solar Impulse 2’s journey around the world. “Goodbye #NewYork! Now looking forward to the vast expanse of the #Atlantic Ocean and reaching Europe in a few days,” Piccard tweeted, posting a picture of the darkened sky and city lights below. The plane, which is no heavier than a car but has the wingspan of a Boeing 747, is being flown on its 22,000-mile (35,000-kilometer) trip by two pilots taking turns, Piccard and Swiss entrepreneur Andre Borschberg. — AFP