Fossett testing the skies
2002-08-04 10:17
Dunedin - American millionaire and adventurer Steve Fossett got to spread his wings on Saturday for the first time in nine days, though not in a record-breaking gliding attempt.
While he got more experience in local conditions at Omarama in
the South Island's Otago region, the weather was not conducive to
an attempt on the 16-year-old world gliding altitude record of
14 937 metres.
Fossett and his co-pilot, former Nasa test pilot Einar
Enevoldson, had about 2-1/2 hours flying time in the specially
modified, twin-seater glider, the New Zealand co-ordinator for the attempt, Bill Walker, said on Sunday. Otherwise they have been playing a waiting game with the wind and weather.
Having launched the glider, they spent most of their time above the head waters of the Ahuriri River and reached a maximum height of about 3 353 metres.
Two other gliders were also in the air, scouting out where
Fossett and Enevoldson could get the best lift.
Walker said that weather conditions were not suitable for an
attempt on the record, but every day flying gave the two pilots
valuable experience of local conditions.
Fossett arrived in New Zealand on July 22 and, up until
Saturday, had only had one other flight in the glider on July 24.
Since then weather conditions have kept the glider on the
ground.
Walker said a cold front, which may be preceded by the
conditions needed to fly, could develop on Tuesday, although the
best possibilities for a record attempt appeared to be Thursday and Friday.
The American team is scheduled to leave Omarama on August 11,
but may delay its departure if conditions looked promising. - Sapa-AFP
- SAPA