The aviator: I'm a lucky guy
2005-03-04 07:53
Salina, Kansas - Flying into history, American aviator Steve Fossett landed a single-engine experimental jet plane here on Thursday to complete the first solo flight around the world without refuelling.
Nearly three days after taking off in the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer from a former air force base, the 60-year-old millionaire returned to cheering crowds to capture what many consider the last great aviation milestone.
Fossett, who took off from Salina Municipal Airport at 6:47pm on Monday (00:47 GMT on Tuesday), made a textbook landing at 1:50pm (19:50 GMT) on Thursday after deploying a small trailing parachute in the final descent to reduce his speed.
Thousands of people lined the runway under bright blue skies and cheered as Fossett rolled to a stop after a trip which took him over the Atlantic, north Africa, Asia and the Pacific in 67 hours, two minutes and 38 seconds.
"What a day," he said as he emerged somewhat wobbly from the plane to a tune played by the local high school marching band.
Fossett stepped down from the cramped cockpit into the waiting arms of his beaming wife, Peggy. He then hugged the sponsor of the historic flight, Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson, a long-time friend and fellow adventurer who sprayed Fossett with champagne.
A major ambition
"I'm a really lucky guy," Fossett said. "That was something I had wanted to do for a long time - a major ambition."
Fossett covered a distance of approximately 37 260km at an average speed of about 559km/h, reaching speeds of 648km/h and altitudes of more than 15 000m.
Back on solid ground, Fossett said he was feeling "better than I have in the last couple days." "I'm energised by the reception," he said. "Right now I'm not sleepy at all."
He only managed a few three to four minute naps in the air. While there were many moments of sheer exhaustion during the flight, Fossett said he managed to stay sufficiently alert to fly the plane safely.
"I was in control and able to make decisions. I didn't make any major errors," he said.
He sustained himself with water, sports drinks and milkshakes and relieved himself into a bottle.
"I had 12 milkshakes," he said. "They're nourishing but I'd rather have a nice dinner."
He also had to battle equipment and fuel problems. In the first few hours of the flight, while over Canada, the plane's global positioning system failed, leaving Fossett flying blind.
The GlobalFlyer was designed by aviation legend Burt Rutan, whose SpaceShipOne won the $10m "X Prize" last year for sending a privately-designed craft into space twice in two weeks.
Rutan also designed the Voyager, which was used by his brother Dick Rutan and Jeanne Yeager in 1986 to fly around the world in nine days without stopping or refuelling.