Posted on 03/03/2005 7:30:50 AM PST by gopwinsin04
US adventurer Steve Fossett ended all doubts that he would continue his quest to become the first person to fly around the world solo, non-stop and without refuleing after he reached Hawaii and headed for the US mainland early Thursday morning.
Tailwinds as fast as 150 mph encouraged Fossett to continue across the Pacific, according to his mission control team in an emailed statement yesterday.
Yesterday, they said a fuel loss left him dependent on tailwinds to complete the bid. 'Let's go for it,' Fossett said by satellite phone at 3:30 AM this morning, according to the statement.
'I hit the jet stream, which has put us in a better fuel position. I have every hope of making it.'
Fossett has already broken one record on his current flight. After passing a checkpoint at Ferar in southeast Toyko, he broke the 1962 record for the longest flight without a landing.
The US pilots 14,358.02 miles beat the 12,532.28 miles set by the B-52 bomber more than four decades ago.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbc.ca ...
Anyone have an insight as to why the landing gear was deployed so early...?
Either MSNBC is 10 minutes behind.... local radio broadcast said 5-6 min.... MSNBC said 15 min...
To slow airspeed...
119.3 megahertz AM is their radio frequency. He can see the tower now.
Visual, going VFR. Contacting tower.
Best guess
1) Help create drag for stable descent
2) Make sure it works :-)
Now cancelling IFR and going VFR for landing WOOHOO!
Gear down early to slow the plane. No flaps or spoilers on board.
Added drag for airspeed control during approach.
Right base for runway 17. Cleared to land.
"Cleared to land runway 17"
Cleared to land. "Fossett you're a stud", from a fellow pilot overheard on the frequency.
LOL, some guy just said "Fosset, you're a stud" and all the airlines are congratulating him on the radio.
Cleared to land Rwy 17
Airlines now sending congrats
"Fossett, you're a stud!"
16 miles NW of apt.
"Fossett your a stud"
The chase plane is a helicopter!
16 miles out
It has all the necessary flight controls...It has drogue chutes for airbrakes...no flaps or spoilers
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.