Swiss Solar-Powered Plane Altitude Record Formally Confirmed by FAI
The governing body FAI has validated a landmark altitude record set by the SolarStratos solar-powered plane in Switzerland.
The international governing body for aeronautics has officially validated an altitude record set by the SolarStratos solar-powered plane. Meeting for its 120th general conference in Lausanne, the organization confirmed the achievement following a thorough verification of flight data.
The landmark flight took place on August 12 of last year, launching from Sion airport in southwest Switzerland. Utilizing warm air thermals during a journey lasting five hours and nine minutes, the aircraft surpassed a certified altitude record that had stood for 15 years at 9,235 metres, or 30,298 feet.
Following months of review, the ratification grants full international recognition to the flight. Representatives for the project noted that SolarStratos officially becomes the highest-flying crewed electric and solar-powered aircraft in history.
During the conference, pilot Domjan was awarded the Louis Bleriot Medal, an honor established in 1936 and named after the French aviation pioneer. Project organizers stated that the distinction recognizes more than a decade of research, testing, and commitment to advancing electric and solar aviation.
The single-propeller aircraft, registered as HB-SXA, measures 9.6 metres in length and features a 24.8-metre wingspan. Its structure incorporates 22 square metres of high-specification solar panels across carbon-fibre materials designed for lightness and strength.
With a takeoff speed starting from 50 kilometres per hour, a cruising speed of around 80 kph, and a maximum speed of 140 kph, the team continues working toward its ultimate objective. The project aims to conduct the first crewed solar-powered flight into the stratosphere without using fossil fuels.
