Posted on 02/28/2005 9:22:13 PM PST by anymouse
Millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett took off Monday night on his attempt to become the first person to complete a solo trip around the world in an airplane without making a single stop.
Fossett, the first person to circle the globe solo in a balloon, launched his GlobalFlyer from the Salina Municipal Airport shortly before 7 p.m., beginning a 66-hour journey by climbing northeast into a darkening sky.
Hundreds of spectators, braving a bitterly cold wind, gathered along the two-mile runway to watch the takeoff. Fossett hoped to return to Salina on Thursday morning.
The 23,000-mile flight had already been postponed several times because of shifting jet stream patterns or weather at the airport.
"I'm a bit nervous about takeoff," said Fossett, 60, who has logged about 30 hours in the jet-powered aircraft. "I will be the ultimate test pilot. I have a lot to worry about. It's a major endeavor."
Financed by Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson, it would be the first solo flight around the world without stopping to refuel.
Branson watched the takeoff from the side of the runway with Fossett's wife. "It was obviously an emotional moment and the most dangerous part of the journey," he said. "It was an enormous relief when it actually came off the ground."
By late Monday night, Fossett was soaring over Canada.
"He was pretty determined to get away," project manager Paul Moore said at a briefing hours after the takeoff.
Aviation pioneer Wiley Post made the first solo around-the-world trip in 1933, taking more than seven days and stopping numerous times along the way. The first nonstop global flight without refueling by a duo was made in 1986 by Jeana Yeager and Dick Rutan, brother of Burt Rutan, designer of the GlobalFlyer.
Besides the nonstop record, Fossett will attempt to break seven other aviation records, including the longest flight by a jet aircraft. The current record is more than 12,000 miles, set by a B-52 bomber in 1962.
Mission control director Kevin Stass said Fossett would fly over Chicago, Detroit and Canada before heading across the Atlantic late Monday night. The route would then take him over Africa, the Middle East, India, China and the Pacific Ocean.
The flight plan was adjusted once more later Monday after Algeria closed a portion of its airspace, mission control director Kevin Stass said. The change, he said, would slightly reduce the overall length of the flight and save some of the 18,000 pounds of fuel aboard the single-engine jet.
Fossett planned to fly at an average speed of 287.5 mph and rely on the jet stream to stretch his fuel. The GlobalFlyer will have about 15 percent extra fuel to allow for weather conditions or other changes to the flight plan, said Jon Karkow, chief engineer for the flight.
There was a risk the fuel could freeze from flying in the cold at altitudes of 52,000 feet for such a long time.
Fossett will survive on diet milkshakes. "I just picked a bunch of flavors off the shelf at the store," he said.
Branson planned to follow Fossett in a chase plane for the first day of the flight and on the last leg. He gave Fossett his wristwatch, complete with emergency beacon device, to wear for the flight.
"We want you and (the watch) back in one piece at the end," Branson quipped.
Fossett became the first to fly a balloon solo around the world in 2002 after nearly dying twice in six attempts to set the record. He has also tried to break the world gliding altitude record for the past four years in New Zealand but has failed because of poor conditions.
"We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto." :)
Is there a map showing the direction he hopes to go?
Best of Luck Mr. Fossett
I hope the engine Williams Int. built brings him home safely. We build one hell of a engine.
> Is there a map showing the direction he hopes to go?
http://www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com/MissionControl/TheRoute/index.jsp
What happens when he falls asleep? Autopilot -- hoping.
Best of luck and prayers, Mr. Fossett. I salute your bravery and ambition.
Someone should make this a live thread till its over.
Diet milkshakes? Must be that yucky stuff in ten yucky flavors.
Mr. Fossett has done a great many things. I respect his work, don't get me wrong.
Have any of his records been set on the first attempt?
Or a more recent phrase "Buckle Your Seat belt Dorothy, Kansas is going Bye, Bye!"
No doubt it is A/P and FD equipped.
Hope he brought toothpicks to keep his eyes open.
Boeing--which unveiled the 777-200 Long Range model very recently--plans to make a record-breaking non-stop flight with this plane late this year or early next year. Already capable of flying over 9,000 nautical miles with a standard passenger load and slightly reduced cargo load with optional additional fuel tanks, Boeing could strip out the plane with essentially almost no interior fittings and than add additional fuel tanks that equals the weight of the interior fittings and standard cargo load. Fuel up the plane with pre-cooled Jet A fuel, and a flight as long as 13,000 nautical miles may not be out of the question. 
Steve is now at 44,100ft, flying over the Atlantic Ocean and should approach the African coastline in an hour and a half. He is now in daylight. In his last communication with Mission Control he reports everything is working okay although he has experienced some light turbulence.
Steve is currently traveling at 350 knots/ 402.5 mph (ground speed).
He is in Santa Maria airspace and then head towards North Africa (Casablanca) via Porto Santo (Madiera). Which will be Portuguese domestic airspace.
Cool stuff. Nutty people that push the envelope are the ones that make history.
Question, though, if anybody knows: I looked at his site and it seemed to say that his route across the atlantic was to the north, and that he'd be making landfall in Ireland, then continuing SE across the med.
It looks like he's going to be making landfall at Morocco... quite a long way off. Did the plan change?
They are following the jet stream wherever it goes. The article above suggests he was denied airspace over Algeria, so this doesn't look like a large departure from an established plan.
The FJ44s are used on some Cessna Citation models aren't they?
}:-)4
Salina.
Wow. That is just 30 miles north of home.
Who made his plane? It looks like one of Dick Rutan's contraptions. That guy amazes me! What a genius!
GW
Thanks for the ping.
Already over North Africa...WooHoo!
Go Steve, go! (go Burt, Go!)
"Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer Update"
Press Release
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050301/15770_1.html
TIME (central US): 08:00 am CST
ELAPSED JOURNEY TIME: 13 hours 13 minutes
DISTANCE COVERED: 4729nm / 5442 miles
VAGF POSITION: Flying at 45,000 feet, approximately 690
miles west of the African coast, near the Azores
SPEED: 330 knots / 380 mph (ground speed)
FUEL REMAINING: 13,100lb
SUMMARY OF FLIGHT
Richard Branson spoke to Steve Fossett last night during the most tense stage of the project so far. Referred to by Steve as "a showstopper" the GPS system on the aircraft had failed.
Steve Fossett described the situation:
"We experienced GPS failure as I was leaving the US towards Canada. This really was a big worry since we are unable to fly without GPS, especially when out of radio range, we couldn't even be directed by air traffic control. It was essential that the GPS be recovered."
The decision had to be taken whether or not the record attempt should be continued. Richard and Steve discussed the possibility of continuing the flight by Steve being in constant contact with the chase plane and steering controls from Mission Control.
The fact that it was the pilot's GPS that had failed naturally weighed heavily on Steve's mind, as the thought of sitting in the cockpit flying 'blind', even with the reassurance of commands from Mission Control, was daunting. After an extremely tense half hour Steve confirmed that he was determined to continue with the attempt.
Two hours later the GPS system re-engaged much to the relief of all of the team at Mission Control and of course Steve.
"I am happy to say we have now figured out that there were interference issues which we have resolved and it is no longer a threat."
The flight has since continued to progress as planned. Mission Control has spoken with Steve and he reports that everything is working well and that he is pleased with progress so far.
Steve will reach the African Coast and be met by the chase plane at approximately 09:30CST/13:30UTC.
http://www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com/MissionControl/Tracking/
Updates once a minute
This time he has Rutan building the plane. If he can stay sane long enough, he'll make it. Rutan is an absolute genius at this kind if thing.
GlobalFlyer Update ping
I have a picture like that...except my plane is in a stadium light.
R/Cs are fun!
Like there's anything special about Algerian airspace. The @X%$#! Algerian government is so screwed up...but then again, look who's running it. Wouldn't want an infidel intruding on islamic airspace now would we?
That's likely what it is.
Coming up on Egypt
A sure sign of having too much money.
The following news is 2 3/4 hrs old - As of 4:45 pm EST Steve is now over Egypt, nearing Aswan and Lake Nasser flying at 49,600 ft.
Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer Update
Tuesday March 1, 4:18 pm ET
SALINA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 2005--Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer
TIME (central US): 13:00 CST
ELAPSED JOURNEY TIME: 18 hours 13 minutes
DISTANCE COVERED: 5800nm/ 6400 miles
VAGF POSITION: Flying at 47,293 feet, flying over the
stony desert in Algeria approaching the
Libyan border
SPEED: 320 knots /370 mph (ground speed)
FUEL REMAINING: 11,341lb
QUOTES:
Steve Fossett, commenting on the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer's performance, said:
"Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer has a much better climb performance than previously estimated and flying higher lets the jet engine burn less fuel. I will stay at 47,000ft through tonight and am likely to go to 49,000ft at some point.
"The GPS is working, however it sometimes flickers, but never completely goes out.
"I have picked up a 100mph jet stream just behind me and I am covering territory fast, which is very encouraging. It's interesting to watch things go by and I am looking forward to another good day tomorrow."
Commenting on his level of comfort Steve said:
"I am comfortable enough, I have got elbow room, I can get to everything, I'm not complaining. It is a long trip - especially the nights. I feel a little bit tired but I have been through this before and I am going to be OK."
Sir Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Atlantic, commented on speaking to Steve:
"He was his normal, low key, calm self which is important in getting any issues sorted out. Even though his stomach was turning over on take off - as much as all of us watching - he was glad to have a very, very long runway!
"Steve's stamina is stronger than anyone else I know living today and at sixty years old that's saying something! Steve has been here before, he has made sure he is very fit for this trip and I'm sure he will more than manage. Things are going well, all appears on track, which helps to keep the adrenaline going. The closer he gets to the half-way point he will get another lift. Crossing the Atlas mountains in daylight must have been another high point. I have crossed those mountains with Steve before and I can't wait to see the photos. We couldn't wish for a better start to this wonderful voyage."
Will Whitehorn, a director of Virgin Group, commented from the chase plane:
"It was a fantastic scene off the coast of Morocco, it looked like a swallow against the mountains - no other aircraft I've seen looks quite like it. He is in extremely good form and is considerably less tired than you would expect. Our next meeting is expected to be early daytime as he heads over the Red Sea."
6,400/23,000 = 28%
Heck, it's his money - why not spend it in the pursuit of pushing man's exploratory capabilities? I'm all for it!
Fossett has made it quite clear that the sole reason he sought riches in the first place was to be able to have fun. He's a very successful business man, founded many successful companies, and now he gets to do whatever he dreams of. Nothing wrong with that.
"He's a very successful business man, founded many successful companies, and now he gets to do...dreams..."
Steve Fossett earned the right to have do what he does - and it does not harm the rest of us - might even be beneficial fallout from this flight.
Contrast this to a certain filthy and rich Senator from Mass who uses his inherited money and position to try and make the rest of us do as HE says while he does what he wants to do. Can we all say "Bridge" - "Drunk" - "Philanderer" - "Obstructionist" - (add your own words to this descriptive list)?
I always respect him for being a business man who's not obsessed by business. He worked those long hours in the early days so he wouldn't have to later, I think there's something wrong with folks who can't seem to walk away and enjoy their success, goal #1 after making your fortune should be getting a tan, and goal #2 should be a better tan.
bttt
Halfway over Saudi Arabia already.
Hmmm...He just passed through Saudi and it looks like he's on his way toward IRAN!
GOOD LUCK and GOD SPEED, STEVE!!!
Yes Cessna uses FJ44's.
Cool. Keep em coming.
Over the Gulf of Oman. Next landfall with be near Karachi, Pakistan.
47K feet, still making good speed although the strongest jetstream is probably north of his position, but I think that they wanted to avoid Iran (imaginr that!).
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