Talk:Solar-powered airplane makes first international flight

First?
Both sources say this is a first, but I am not sure why. In 2009, Sunseeker II crossed the Alps from Switzerland to Italy. "14 April (2009) ... Eric took off from Buttwil, Switzerland at 11:40 ... Just over 5 hours after takeoff, E. Raymond was greeted with warm welcomes and accolades from friends and journalists at Aero Club Torino."
 * http://www.solar-flight.com/europetour/journal.html#raymondsaccount

Any explanation? Is it because of Sunseeker II's "fully-charged batteries" perhaps?

In 1980, Solar Challenger crossed from France to England.
 * http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-054-DFRC.html

Any explanation?

--InfantGorilla (talk) 21:35, 14 May 2011 (UTC)