Forty-four years ago today, on July 7, 1981 (June 6, 1981 lunar calendar), a solar-powered aircraft made its first flight across the English Channel. The Solar Challenger, a 210-pound aircraft, took off from Comayson-Vixine, 25 miles northwest of Paris, making the 165-mile journey at an average speed of 30 miles per hour and an altitude of 11,000 feet before landing at RAF Manston on the southeast coast of England. Paul McCreedy, the designer of the power plant, also built the first human-powered aircraft to cross the Channel. The Solar Challenger was powered by 16,000 barrier solar photovoltaic cells mounted on the wings, which convert light into electricity to power the 2.7-horsepower engine. The plane made several unsuccessful attempts to cross the strait, and finally achieved its goal this time with the help of excellent summer sunshine. The plane was greeted by 30 people when it landed.