Payerne

PAYERNE, Switzerland - At the pace of a fast bicycle, a solar-powered plane took to the skies for its maiden flight Wednesday, passing an important test on the way to a historic voyage around the world - a journey that would not use a drop of fuel.

PAYERNE, Switzerland - A solar plane with wings as wide as a 747 and the power of a small motorboat took to the skies for the first time Wednesday, cruising a mile high at bicycle-like speeds for nearly 1 hours in a step toward becoming the first sun-powered aircraft to circle the world.