The Latest: Solar-powered pilots awed by Statue of Liberty

NEW YORK – The Latest on the solar-powered plane that is circling the globe (all times local):

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12:30 p.m.:

The pilots of a solar-powered airplane that’s circling the globe say the views of the Statue of Liberty inspired them on their mission to free the world of reliance on fossil fuels.

Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard arrived with the Swiss-made Solar Impulse 2 at JFK Airport early Saturday after leaving Pennsylvania as part of their globe-circling voyage.

The pilots said the air was crystal clear as they flew into New York and over the Statue of Liberty.

Their trip began in March 2015 from the United Arab Emirates.

The pilots expect to be in New York for several days before embarking on the next leg of their journey to Europe. Piccard said weather conditions will dictate when they leave, and whether they will land in Ireland, France, Spain or Portugal.

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4:30 a.m.:

A solar-powered airplane has landed in New York City on the latest leg of its globe-circling voyage.

The Swiss-made Solar Impulse 2 soared over the Statue of Liberty and flew into New York City, before landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport early Saturday morning. It had left Lehigh Valley International Airport in Pennsylvania late Friday.

The plane originally was scheduled to head to the Big Apple Monday night but showers and thunderstorms moving through the area caused it to be grounded.

The plane had been in Allentown since May 25.

The voyage began March 2015 from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Stops were made in Oman, Myanmar, China and Japan.