Solar plane trip was test of human endurance

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California: The two Swiss pilots taking turns to fly a solar-powered airplane around the world said Sunday the endeavor is not only a demonstration of the importance of renewable energy but also of the many challenges the human body can endure. Pilot Bertrand Piccard completed a risky, three-day flight across a great expanse of the Pacific Ocean while sleeping only 20 minutes at a time inside the plane’s tiny cockpit with no heat or air conditioning and while having to keep constant contact with the Europe-based control center. “You have interviews, navigation control, communications with the control center in Monaco. You have health checks, a lot of health checks,” Piccard said. “It’s very active, there are a lot of things to do, but you can nevertheless enjoy it.” Piccard said he uses self-hypnosis to keep his energy up and puts heating pads inside his shoes and gloves for warmth. He said he is fine with the ready-made meals he can warm up with a special heat packet and that can include risotto, chicken curry and potatoes. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS