It may not be very visible from the outside, but getting there has meant some very stressful moments for our team. We have just successfully finished the loading tests on the three assembled sections of the main wing-spar.

After 8 months in production and over than 60 thermal treatments mobilizing full-time the skills of a dozen specialists from Décision, we needed to be absolutely sure that this key component of the solar aircraft, built to be as light as possible, can withstand all the strains of flying through turbulence while giving the pilot maximum control of the aircraft.

The relief and pride you can see on the team's faces this morning expresses the enormous pressure we have been living with during these past two weeks. All the key components of the aircraft have been successfully tested. We know today that we have a structural concept that is able to withstand all flight constraints whilst remaining within our weight budget.

The next step for us is to complete the assembly of the aircraft, ready to begin the first flight tests as soon as possible.