Solar impulse plane passes ‘no return’ point

A solar-powered plane has passed the "point of no return" in its second bid at making a record-breaking flight across the Pacific Ocean, the BBC News reported.

Solar Impulse took off from Japan's Nagoya Airfield at 18:03 GMT on Sunday.

The journey to Hawaii is expected to take approximately 120 hours.

The team spent nearly two months waiting for clear weather to cross the Pacific, and a developing cold front forced the plane to make an unscheduled landing in Japan earlier this month.

"Andre Borschberg has passed the point of no return and must now see this 5 days 5 nights flight through to the end," Solar Impulse said on its website.

The pilot now no longer has the option to turn around and return to Japan, if the weather forecast changes.
The first attempt to fly over the ocean was cut short after a change in the forecast forced an unscheduled landing.

And another attempt to take off last Tuesday was cancelled at the last moment because of concerns about the conditions.

If the pilot succeeds, it will be the longest-duration solo flight in aviation history, as well as the furthest distance flown by a craft that is powered only by the Sun.

The Pacific crossing is the eighth leg of Solar Impulse's journey around the world.

But this stage has proven to be the most difficult, and has been hit by weeks of delays.