Sometime!

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As you read this, the UK-built solar-powered plane, Zephyr, is flying gracefully around the skies somewhere above Arizona.

Developed by Qinetiq, the unmanned plane with a wingspan of 22.5 metres has been in the air since last Friday and is scheduled to keep flying for another week on its proving flight. The plane’s solar cells operate its propellors during the day and top up its batteries so that it can continue flying at night. Unlike other aircraft, those like Zephyr can stay in the air at very high altitudes indefinitely as they don’t need refuelling.

There is much interest in this aircraft; the military have obvious uses for them and scientific and other bodies would like to use them for Earth observations.

What’s the betting that Haji-Ioannou, O’Leary or Branson will climb in the act sooner than later? Surely the idea of virtually cost-free aircraft operation will appeal to them!
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