Fossett Breaks Flight Distance Record

BY DEREK KRAVITZ, Associated Press Writer ^ | 11th February 2006 | BY DEREK KRAVITZ, Associated Press Writer

[protest1]

BY DEREK KRAVITZ, Associated Press Writer 5 minutes ago

MANSTON, England - Adventurer Steve Fossett completed the longest nonstop flight in aviation history Saturday, flying 26,389 miles in about 76 hours, but he had to land early because of mechanical problems.

Ground control said Fossett, 61, broke the airplane distance record of 24,987 miles while his lightweight experimental plane was flying over Shannon, Ireland.

He then was forced to land the Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer at Bournemouth International Airport, in southern England, instead of at a military air strip in nearby Kent because of generator problems.

The millionaire adventurer completed his journey around the globe — and then some — over 3 1/2 days despite losing about 750 pounds of fuel during his takeoff Tuesday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida because of a leak.

The plane's ventilation system also malfunctioned midway through the trip, causing temperatures in the 7-foot cockpit to rise to as much as 130 degrees. Fossett was forced to drink a large part of his water supply earlier than planned because of the heat, his flight team said.

Weak winds over the Atlantic and severe turbulence over India — which, at one point, forced Fossett to strap on a parachute — prompted fears Fossett would have to ditch his record-breaking attempt in Newfoundland.

Instead, his flight team altered his projected route, having Fossett cross Florida, where he had begun his nonstop journey Wednesday, and take a southerly path on the flight's last leg to take advantage of better winds.

Early Saturday, Fossett decided to try to finish the trip after reaching the middle of the Atlantic.

His voyage broke the airplane distance record of 24,987 miles set in 1986 by the lightweight Voyager aircraft piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, as well as the balloon record of 25,361 miles set by Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard in 1999.

Fossett already holds the record for flying solo around the globe in a balloon and for being the first person to circle the globe solo in a plane without stopping or refueling. That flight last year lasted 67 hours and was hampered by a fuel leak.

While in the air, Fossett took power naps no longer than five minutes each and drank a steady diet of milkshakes. His plane was equipped with a parachute pack holding a one-man raft and a satellite rescue beacon.

[protest1]

Congratulations Steve Fossett!

[NormsRevenge]

Adveturer Steve Fossett is helped out of the aircraft upon landing after declaring an emergency after a loss of electrical power at Bournemouth, England, Saturday, Feb 11, 2006. Fossett completed the longest nonstop flight in aviation history Saturday after flying around the globe _ and then some _ in roughly 80 hours. Fossett, 61, was forced to land his lightweight experimental plane, Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer, at Bournemouth International Airport, in southern England, instead of his planned landing point in nearby Kent, after encountering generator problems. Ground control said he broke the distance record of 24,987 miles (40,210 kilometers), set in 1986, as he flew over Shannon, Ireland. Fossett flew 26,389.3 miles (42,467.5 kilometers) in approximately 76 hours, his ground team said. (AP Photo, Pool)

[mfnorman]

how do you use the bathroom in those conditions?

[gopwinsin04]

[NormsRevenge]

Steve Fossett, right, is welcomed by Richard Branson after landing safely after declaring an emergency following a loss of electrical power at Bournemouth, England, Saturday, Feb 11, 2006. ... (AP Photo, Ben Stansall, Pool)

[NonValueAdded]

It Depends^tm

[NormsRevenge]

Adveturer Steve Fossett lands safely after declaring an emergency after a loss of electrical power at Bournemouth, England, Saturday, Feb 11, 2006. ... (AP Photo, Pool)

[Socratic]

Sweet!

[G.Mason]

Power naps?

One can only guess what they are fueled with.

[meanie monster]

This Steve Fossett dude is one interesting mofo, lol,! He is lucky to be alive. Good for him!

[JOE6PAK]

TIME MARCHES ON!

HISTORY! YOU GOTTA LOVE IT!

[Moonman62]

They had a whole lot of problems. Are we sure it isn't really a government operation?

[freedumb2003]

They had a whole lot of problems. Are we sure it isn't really a government operation?

Problems occur geometrically over time. So this is actually very impressive.

[OldFriend]

He had fuel leak problems prior to take off. Too bad the problem wasn't chased down properly.

[protest1]

He succeeded... does that answer your question? ;)

[protest1]

This record did bring that to mind especially as it was a solo flight.

http://www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com/

[D-Chivas]

...millionaire adventurer...

Class-envy AP jerks. Like somebody on welfare is going to try this...

[aShepard]

Mileage at Shannon Ireland =24987
Mileage at bournemouth england = 26389

It can't possibly be 1,400 miles between them! So, where'd he go in the meantime?

[corkoman]

Problems occur geometrically over time. So this is actually very impressive.

Seem to me they occur exponentially with time.

[freedumb2003]

Seem to me they occur exponentially with time.

I stand corrected. This is a case in point -- with all the posts I have done, a glitch was bound to happen!!! ;)