An experimental plane, powered only by rays from the sun, has landed safely in Switzerland after successfully completing its first 24-hour test flight.<br /><br />The "Solar Impulse" took off on Wednesday from Payerne airfield shortly after dawn and touched down a day later having proved that overnight solar-powered flight is possible. <br /><br />Clear blue skies meant that the prototype aircraft was able to soak up plenty of solar energy as it made a gradual ascent to a final altitude to 27,900 feet or 8,500 metres and then flew in darkness using energy stored up during the day.<br /><br />Pilot Andre Borschberg endured freezing conditions overnight and ended the test flight with a picture-perfect landing.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Charles Stratford reports.
