BBC News | SCI/TECH | Solar craft sets altitude record

A giant solar-powered flying wing launched by the US space agency Nasa has set a new altitude record for non-rocket-powered aircraft.

Had the weather been better in Kauai whilst we were there then Helios may well have been launched during our vacation. The maiden flight of Helios took place the week before we got to Kauai. Aviation Week reports:

This movie shows AeroVironment's Helios drone dramatically encountering turbulence during takeoff on its first solar-powered flight. The event happened on July 14 at the Barking Sands airfield on Kauau, Hawaii, and officials say it validated the design of the aircraft.