After five risky days traversing the Pacific Ocean, an aeroplane powered only by the rays of the sun completed a historic flight to Hawaii that broke aviation records.
The Solar Impulse 2 landed on Friday morning at the Kalaeloa Airport on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, a total of 118 non-stop hours after departing from Nagoya, Japan.
This leg of the solar-powered plane's attempt to circumvent the world, covering 7,200 kilometers, is considered to be the longest and the most dangerous.
The Solar Impulse 2 now holds the record of the longest period ever spent in the air by a solo, un-refuelled aircraft.
The previous record was held by American adventurer Steve Fossett, who flew for 76 hours aboard a single-seater jet in 2006.
Andre Borschberg, who manned the Solar Impulse 2, had to wait for almost an hour before he could stand up and disembark from the aircraft, having been seated alone inside the plane for almost five days.
In an interview with BBC, the pilot said he did not feel tired at all after completing the challenging flight to Hawaii.
"Interestingly, not really. I am also astonished. We got so much support during the flight from so many people; it gave me so much energy," Borschberg said.
He also shared the things he has been looking forward to after days of flying alone: showering and surfing.
"We have some work to do, and to meet people, because I am sure a lot of people will want to see the aeroplane and discuss its technologies. But there is no way we shouldn't try some surfing," the pilot joked.
Bertrand Piccard, Borschberg's co-pilot, will now man the Solar Impulse 2 to its next leg to Phoenix, Arizona. This flight is expected to last for about four days.
