SCI/TECH: Global Flyer Begins Solo Flight Around World Update: Almost Home!

Steve Fossett who in 2002 became the first man to fly a balloon around the world solo, has lifted off in an attempt to circumnavigate the globe without refueling. The 23,000 mile trip in the GlobalFlyer would be the longest unrefueled flight ever attempted by a jet aircraft. The previous record holder was a B-52 that had flown 12,000 miles. The GlobalFlyer is designed by Scaled Composite founder Burt Rutan.

Update: Almost Home

SALINA, Kan. - Millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett was again flying over U.S. soil, completing a long crossing of the Pacific Ocean early Thursday morning as he headed for the finish of his nonstop around-the-world solo flight.

"I'm really starting to perk up, now realizing that I'm getting close to the end," Fossett said.

Fossett returned to U.S. airspace shortly before 8 a.m. CST, and cruised over Los Angeles about 61 hours after leaving from Salina on his record-setting attempt. If Fossett makes it back to the central Kansas town, and he's expected at around 2:20 p.m. EST, he'll become the first person to circumnavigate the globe alone without stopping or refueling.
Almost Home

It seems like yesterday when Rutans propeller aircraft made the same flight non stop. The Rutans of the world who can think outside of the box are the best hope for aviation's future. Mainstream companies have become so bogged down in projections and accounting that its the pencil pushers that are telling the aeronautic engineers how to built the planes not the other way around. We have become so risk adverse as a society that innovation is being stifled because of the fear of failure. Best of luck to Steve Fossett and may he have a trouble free flight.

[edit on 3/3/05 by FredT]

Live tracking and video here:

Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer Flight Tracker


Because of heavy traffic the site might not be accessible all the time. I can access it right now...

thanks for the links guys.

Looks like he's over Saudia Arabia right now..

Here is an update just breaking now on this story.

Adventurer Steve Fossett’s bid to become the first person to fly solo non stop around the globe was in peril today after his aircraft “lost” 26,000lbs of fuel.

A discrepancy between fuel calculations means the aircraft has far less fuel on board than predicted and is reliant on tail winds to make it safely back to the US start point in Salina, Kansas.

Source

The story is breaking on MSNBC and note there seem to be some discrepancies. The above source claims he has lost 26,000 lbs of fuel yet in the lower section of the story it states he took off with 18,000 lbs

Fossett, 60, took off on Monday evening with 18,000lbs on board and after 37 hours of flight has just 5,500lbs left in his tanks.

Mission control is now saying he lost 2,600 lbs not 26,000 as reported.

Update.

63.6o
195.00 Knots
45,148ft
W113.57303
N35.61332

Tracker works now

All looks good.

He just might make it, will be close for sure. Hopefullly his fuel will hold out-

according to the news he just fly over LA and is expected in kanass at 330 eta. and still has 3600 pounds of fule left so barring any late complactions he should make it.
On the pluse side now hes back over land so even in an emergincy he should be able to land.

SALINA, Kan. - Millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett was again flying over U.S. soil, completing a long crossing of the Pacific Ocean early Thursday morning as he headed for the finish of his nonstop around-the-world solo flight.

"I'm really starting to perk up, now realizing that I'm getting close to the end," Fossett said.

Fossett returned to U.S. airspace shortly before 8 a.m. CST, and cruised over Los Angeles about 61 hours after leaving from Salina on his record-setting attempt. If Fossett makes it back to the central Kansas town, and he's expected at around 2:20 p.m. EST, he'll become the first person to circumnavigate the globe alone without stopping or refueling.
Almost Home