Branson, Fossett at it again

2005-07-29 12:40

John Milburn

Kansas - Aviation's adventuresome duo of Steve Fossett and Sir Richard Branson are at it again, announcing plans on Thursday for another world record flight in the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer.

Fossett became the first person to fly non-stop and without refuelling around the globe, starting and ending from Salina in March.

He now wants to set a distance record. The current plan is to fly from Kansas, circumnavigating the globe and landing near London, a trek of some 46 400 kilometres. However, another possibility is using one of Nasa's runways at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Fossett said the final decision on the launch site would be made later this year.

The flight is tentatively scheduled for February 2006, when winds are favourable.

If successful, the flight would break the current aircraft record of 40 000 kilometres, set by the Voyager aircraft in 1996 and the balloon record of 40 580 kilometres set by the Breitling Obiter 3 in 1999.

Fossett, 60, already holds world records in five pursuits - in balloons, sailboats, gliders, airships and powered aircraft.

The next attempt by Fossett would take about 90 hours. He piloted the GlobalFlyer for 67 hours when he took off and landed in Salina, his flight financed by Branson.

Fossett's team chose the central Kansas location because of its 4 000 metre runway. The aircraft needs about 2 640 metres for take-off because of the excessive fuel load needed for the endurance flight.

"The longest-distance aeroplane flight is possible with the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer but very difficult," Fossett said. "I am attracted by a challenge that is at the very edge of my ability and endurance."

GlobalFlyer is a single-engine, composite jet aircraft designed by Burt Rutan, who designed the Voyager aircraft.

Rutan also designed the Virgin Atlantic SpaceShipOne, which won the X Prize for being the first civilian spacecraft flown above 100 kilometres. That project also is financed by Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group, who plans to begin offering commercial space flight in the next few years.

"This is the ultimate aviation record and an almost unbelievable test of Steve and the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer's endurance," Branson said.

"Both pilot and plane will be tested well beyond any previous flight in history and if successful will set a record that I suspect will never be exceeded."

Fossett announced his intentions at the Experimental Aircraft Association Airventure. He flew the GlobalFlyer to the event from Salina, where it has been since completing its record-setting flight.

www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com

- AP