Fossett does New Zealand

The Dominion Post, Wellington, New Zealand | July 31 2002 | NZPA

[shaggy eel]

New Zealand's Dunedin Airport has been confirmed as a night landing site for Steve Fossett's attempt on the world gliding record.

The American adventurer has been in New Zealand for a week waiting for favourable weather.

Spokesman Bill Walker said his team had been making extra preparations for the day when the attempt would be made.

"We have been to Dunedin Airport to see if we can land there at night if necessary and it's all set up. Unfortunately the weather's not looking good until the end of the week and even then, it's marginal."

The hi-tech gliding team is waiting for strong winds preceding a cold front moving up the west coast of New Zealand's South Island to begin Fossett's bid to better the 16 year old world record ceiling of 14,938 metres.

Fossett and former National Aeronautical and Space Administration test pilot Einar Envvoldson plan to surf on turbulent wind waves into the stratosphere above the Southern Alps.

Fossett made it into the record books earlier this month as the first person to make a solo balloon flight around the world.

[shaggy eel]

ping

[shaggy eel]

FYI

[Hot Tabasco]

Geez, I wish I had the time on my hands and the money to do this kind of crap. On the other hand, If I had the time and the money I would be lying on a beach in the Caribbean with a perfect 48. Specifically, 2 24 year old babes.......... LOL!

[shaggy eel]

,,, you're clearly a man who knows what he wants. However, if that's it, think about how you'd get anything within the Caribbean context into the records books.

[RightWhale]

This sounds more dangerous than riding a balloon. There must be some bodaceous updrafts updrafts off the coast of NZ.

[shaggy eel]

,,, updrafts are us

[shaggy eel]

,,, weather outlook

[BansheeBill]

Here's a recent photo of the glider:

[shaggy eel]

,,, brilliant shot Bill - thanx for adding it to this thread.

[shaggy eel]

FYI

[Rebelbase]

I read somewhere that he is trying to reach 60,000' in a glider. Confirmation anyone?.......anybody?.....Hello?

[shaggy eel]

,,, yep, the newspaper says 19,000 metres, which is 59-60,000ft.

[Hot Tabasco]

think about how you'd get anything within the Caribbean context into the records books.

In your context of entering the record books all I have to say in my defense is that with 2 24 year old caribbean females the quest for records is successfull merely thru trying..... LOL!!!

[shaggy eel]

,,, go ahead, blow your 401k on your dreams! [LOL!]

[DB]

Thanks for the Fossett ping!

[AspidistraFlying]

I'm suprised you haven't posted anything about the election result.

[Rebelbase]

Thanks.

[shaggy eel]

,,, you're welcome.

[shaggy eel]

,,, if you'd searched under NEW ZEALAND: the southseas circus thread, you would have found it on post # 120. Click on this and you'll get a four page summary from the Parliamentary Library - (Acrobat required to read it.)

Regards.