Fossett makes history: Pilot is first person to fly solo nonstop round-the-world

CNN ^

[Next_Time_NJ]

(CNN) -- Pilot Steve Fossett has become the first person to fly solo nonstop round-the-world. His plane, the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, touched down Thursday afternoon in Salina, Kansas, more than 66 hours after he lifted off from the same spot.

[Moose4]

Commercial flights don't typically go higher than FL410 (41,000 feet), I think, usually more like 35,000. Some of the high-end corporate jets like the Gulfstream V and Cessna Citation X are designed to be able to cruise all the way up to 51,000 feet, where they're most economical and less affected by weather. (Jet engines use less fuel at higher altitudes.)

}:-)4

[anonymoussierra]

Thank you this is very good

[anonymoussierra]

:}}}}}}}}}}}}"Finally someone proved the world was round!! great news!!":}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}Thank you

[Turbopilot]

Except for meeting ATP requirements - just needs to fly over 50nm away for those :-p

I'm sure he has every rating in the world already anyway.

[Gucho]

Thank you this is very good


Thank you.

[anonymoussierra]

:}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[Dashing Dasher]

WAHOOOOO!!!!!
Glad he's okay!
Nice work, Steve!!

[Dashing Dasher]

I believe he was able to watch all 12 Episodes of "From the Earth to the Moon".

[Polybius]

Technically, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin was the first to fly solo non-stop around the earth.

That would depend on how you define "flying".

Since the first astronauts and cosmonauts just went along for the ride while Mission Control "flew" the capsule, Chuck Yaeger commented, "Anybody who goes up in that damned thing is going to be Spam in a can."

The first "Spam in a can" was:

Laika, the First Dog in Space

[HamiltonJay]

Automatic pilot.

[ScreamingFist]

Good grief. Do you know many 60 year olds who can stay awake for over 70 hours. And not just awake but hyper alert as they navigate around the world. Alone?

I don't know about you, but I don't know many people who can do that at 30.

Mr. Fossett did nothing except take off, radio and GPS checks, and landing. He was probably bored stupid. GPS flew the aircraft, see below.

GPS FAILURE NEARLY SCRUBS MISSION

March 1, 2005 - Steve Fossett's GPS system aboard the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer reportedly failed for about two hours last night, creating some tense moments and almost scrubbing the attempt at the world's first nonstop solo flight around the world. Fossett reportedly called the failure a potential "showstopper." "We experienced GPS failure as I was leaving the U.S. towards Canada," Fossett explained. "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." Fossett and Branson discussed the possibility of continuing the flight by Steve being in constant contact with the chase plane and getting his steering controls from mission control. The fact that it was the pilot's GPS that had failed weighed heavily on Steve's mind, because the thought of sitting in the cockpit flying 'blind,' even with reassurances from mission control, was daunting. After an extremely tense half hour, the pilot confirmed his determination to continue the flight. Much to everyone's relief, the GPS system re-engaged two hours later after mission control diagnosed that interference issues had knocked out the GPS. The flight has since continued to progress as planned, and the pilot reports everything is working well. Steve crossed over the North African coastline this morning and proceeds west. To follow the progress, visit www.globalflyer.com.

[Boundless]

> Yuri Gagarin was the first to fly solo

Actually, he didn't even meet FAI rules for spacecraft,
because he didn't remain with the ship (capsule) until
touchdown. Early USSR flights routinely required that
the cosmonaut eject before landing. The Rooskies lied
about it to claim the record.

But in any case, different rules for a/c vs. spacecraft.
a/c are not allowed to drop parts (like booster rockets).
Voyager was almost disqualified for its record because
it scraped off a winglet on takeoff.

[charleywhiskey]

Remarkable achievement and a handfull of FIA records, but the entire flight path was north of the Equator. I agree that to qualify as "around the world" the path must cross two antipodes.

[NCC-1701]

"...Voyager was almost disqualified for its record because
it scraped off a winglet on takeoff...."

How would losing a winglet affect the recod? The rest of the plane made it. Who makes up those rules?

I've seen the voyager in the Air and Space Museum. Sharp looking aircraft. GlobalFlyer will look just as great beside it. Some rearranging of aircraft would be needed to acomplish that. Still, this flight will be notable, however it was done. And a U.S. citizenwas aboard for the ride and set the record. USA,USA,USA!

[bvw]

Congrats to Mr. Fossett! Less than 72 hours -- Jules Verne would be awed.

[B4Ranch]

The local media? Why not the local widows close to your home?

[Samizdat]

okay, but my overriding question about this whole thing is how in the world he was able to ummm, purge his own waste, if you will? That space was way too small for him to even move around, let alone pull down his pants. I did notice that we didn't get see his backside on TV. It was always the front. Just asking!

[Jackknife]

Break out the bubbly!!!!

[B4Ranch]

Very good point!

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT