Summary The fuel-free aircraft is powered by more than 17,000 solar cells on its wings.
AHMADABAD (AP) - The pilots of a solar-powered airplane on a historic round-the-world journey say they want the people of India to support their campaign for clean energy to save the global environment.
Bertrand Piccard and Andre Boschberg were speaking to reporters Wednesday in the western Indian city of Ahmadabad a day after Piccard flew the single-seater from Muscat, Oman.
Piccard said their goal was to spread the message of adopting clean technologies and improving the quality of life of India s 1.2 billion people.
He said they chose to demonstrate this with a solar-powered airplane "because this is what captures the imagination of people."
The fuel-free aircraft is powered by more than 17,000 solar cells on its wings that recharge the plane s batteries, enabling it to fly.
