Swiss Pilot Surpasses Altitude Record for Solar-Powered Plane

Adventurer Aims to Take Such Plane Above 10,000m, Flying at Same Altitude as Airliners

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GENEVA - Swiss pilot Raphael Domjan beat the altitude record for a solar-powered electric plane in a flight that took him soaring to 9,521m, his team announced on Aug 13.

The SolarStratos plane made the landmark flight from Sion airport in south-west Switzerland on Aug 12, taking advantage of warm air thermals to go beyond the record that has stood for 15 years.

The certified altitude record for a solar plane stands at 9,235m.

The achievement is "one of those unforgettable peaks that define great human and technological adventures", the SolarStratos mission said in a statement.

Mr Domjan's flight lasted five hours and nine minutes.

"I share this moment of joy with all the people who have been preparing for this achievement for years," the 53-year-old "eco-explorer" said.

The data will be sent to the World Air Sports Federation governing body, which will decide whether to validate the new record.

"It is the pressure altitude corrected to standard density altitude that is recognised as the official reference for aviation altitude records," the SolarStratos team said.