Fossett Breaks Flight Distance Record

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

[TWohlford]

How many frequent fly miles did he rack up?

[Paradox]

Richard Branson is a credit to the British. I think he epitomizes The "American Dream", and he ain't even 'merican!

[BlessedBeGod]

I think he epitomizes The "American Dream", and he ain't even 'merican!

He's American at heart. ;-)

[bert]

Depends....

[bert]

Just for the record, to properly understand this group, visit the Smithsonian Air And Space Museum on the mall and the Annex at Dulles. To actually see these historical craft and marvel at their smallness gives the adventure a new perspective.

[Mr. Brightside]

Funny.

While scrolling FR for news stories, I say your post... while listening to the song "Get Here" ("You can reach me by a big balloon...")

[GungaLaGunga]

It's called labelling. Sort of like saying "A**hole reporters".

[GungaLaGunga]

Steve Fossett has balls the size of cantalopes. His around-the-world sailing gigs were dangerous enough. The world's greatest adventurer bar none.

[Erasmus]

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

Probably stuck by approach control in a holding pattern.

< ]B^)

[IonImplantGuru]

I've pinged your aviation list, Aero.

[The Westerner]

I don't think so. Too heavy for the mission. As to the other question, I suspect he had a one of those men's urinal bottles you get in hospitals that he emptied occasionally over unpopulated regions.

[hattend]

Well done, Steve.

[SunkenCiv]

other source:

Fossett Sets Flight Distance Record
by Guy Gugliotta
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, February 12, 2006; Page A18

The flight, which began at NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 7:22 a.m. (Eastern time) Wednesday, lasted 76 hours and 45 minutes and covered 26,389.3 miles, the GlobalFlyer Web site said, more than 1,000 miles farther than the flight of the balloon Breitling Orbiter 3 in 1999.

[SunkenCiv]

also from their website:

Help us fight childhood blindness
Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer: Charity

Over half a million children go blind each year - yet the medical and scientific knowledge to prevent and cure most cases of childhood blindness already exists.  But the skills and technology are concentrated in the richer countries whilst the need is concentrated in the poorer ones.

[TalonDJ]

With the altitude he was cruising at he probably swung way pasted the target while descending. A plane with wings like that, empty on fuel, takes some time to get down.

[Diamond]

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

Duh.

Cordially,

[Sloth]

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?

I checked and they're about 330 miles apart. Beats me why he couldn't get to his intended destination in Kent if he had an extra thousand miles to play with.