Swiss solar plane team eyes Mediterranean flight

The Swiss team behind the world's most advanced solar-powered airplane plans to fly its prototype across the Mediterranean next year before attempting a round-the-world trip in 2014.

Pilot Andre Borschberg says a recent flight to Belgium and France has encouraged the Solar Impulse team to consider flying the aircraft to Morocco in 2012.

He told The Associated Press in a satellite linkup while returning from Paris on Sunday that Turkey is another possible destination next year.

The Mediterranean flights will be a major challenge for the engineers and the pilot, because the plane will have to stay in the air for 48 hours.

The Solar Impulse with its 63-meter (207-foot) wingspan holds no passengers and is very sensitive to air turbulence.