It was also only the second solar-powered aircraft to fly, after the uncrewed AstroFlight Sunrise, which had first flown 4+1⁄2 years earlier.

Power is supplied by a Bosch electric starter motor of 3.5 hp (2.6 kW) connected to a 30-volt DC Nickel-cadmium battery pack taken from a Hughes 500 helicopter, powering a 41 in (104.1 cm) propeller through a reduction drive made from a timing belt and two pulleys.

The battery was charged by a series of photovoltaic solar panels mounted in the top wing that provided 350 watts of power.

A charge in bright sunshine for an hour and a half yielded a flight of 3–5 minutes.

The aircraft reached a maximum height of about 40 ft (12 m) and flew 0.5 mi (0.8 km).