Steve Fosset, around the world in 80 hours.
Discussion
Will he make it? 2600lbs of fuel short!
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/03/02/fossett.flight.ap/index.html">www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/03/02/fossett.flight.ap/index.html</a>
Fossett presses on despite fuel problem
Millionaire pilot attempting flight around the world
SALINA, Kansas (AP) -- Millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett decided Wednesday to press ahead with his attempt to fly around the world solo without refueling, despite a serious problem earlier in the day with the plane's fuel system.
Fossett and his flight crew agreed Wednesday night to keep the GlobalFlyer in the air rather than abandoning the record-setting attempt and setting down in Hawaii.
He discovered the problem with the fuel system of the custom-built plane early Wednesday.
Project manager Paul Moore said fuel sensors in the 13 tanks differed from readings of how quickly the plane's single jet engine was burning fuel. Moore said the crew had been forced to assume that 2,600 pounds of the original 18,100 pounds of fuel "disappeared" early in the flight.
It was not clear whether the problem was with the instruments that track how much fuel remains or if some fuel had been lost because of a leak, Fossett's team said.
Before the fuel problem was discovered, Fossett had estimated he would complete the 23,000-mile journey at midday Thursday. He took off Monday from Salina.
Fossett already holds the record for flying solo around the globe in a balloon, as well as dozens of other aviation and sailing records.
The project is being financed by Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson, a longtime friend and fellow adventurer.
The first nonstop global flight without refueling was made in 1986 by Jeana Yeager and Dick Rutan, brother of GlobalFlyer designer Burt Rutan.
>>> Edited by beaconbouy on Thursday 3rd March 06:25
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/03/02/fossett.flight.ap/index.html">www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/03/02/fossett.flight.ap/index.html</a>
Fossett presses on despite fuel problem
Millionaire pilot attempting flight around the world
SALINA, Kansas (AP) -- Millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett decided Wednesday to press ahead with his attempt to fly around the world solo without refueling, despite a serious problem earlier in the day with the plane's fuel system.
Fossett and his flight crew agreed Wednesday night to keep the GlobalFlyer in the air rather than abandoning the record-setting attempt and setting down in Hawaii.
He discovered the problem with the fuel system of the custom-built plane early Wednesday.
Project manager Paul Moore said fuel sensors in the 13 tanks differed from readings of how quickly the plane's single jet engine was burning fuel. Moore said the crew had been forced to assume that 2,600 pounds of the original 18,100 pounds of fuel "disappeared" early in the flight.
It was not clear whether the problem was with the instruments that track how much fuel remains or if some fuel had been lost because of a leak, Fossett's team said.
Before the fuel problem was discovered, Fossett had estimated he would complete the 23,000-mile journey at midday Thursday. He took off Monday from Salina.
Fossett already holds the record for flying solo around the globe in a balloon, as well as dozens of other aviation and sailing records.
The project is being financed by Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson, a longtime friend and fellow adventurer.
The first nonstop global flight without refueling was made in 1986 by Jeana Yeager and Dick Rutan, brother of GlobalFlyer designer Burt Rutan.
>>> Edited by beaconbouy on Thursday 3rd March 06:25
Davel said:
Can it glide?
from latest web site update it's looking good once again - will be quite a feat if he does it:
www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com/
shame just how little publicity its getting. bad timing being just after ellen's round the world record, i guess.
both are wonderful achievements - am unsure which is the more impressive. any thoughts?
re: gliding - am sure it would glide ok - as per modern sailplane/glider style, it has one hell of a wingspan and aspect ratio - once fuel gets low i doubt the raw airframe weighs much and it looks an aerodynamically slippery bugger - so, from a height of say 40,000ft and with maybe with a glide ratio (digging into deep memory here from when i used to fly gliders) of 25:1 (maybe even better - modern sailplanes can have glide ratios of 40:1 plus) - in theory - i think - it could glide some 189miles or more.
i welcome corrections from those better informed - i was a crap glider pilot anyway(!).
finger crossed for him/them. another richard branson pr coup!
ttfn
Not a bad guess actually. Sky (loathe though I am to give them credit) are providing the best coverage (probably paid for by Sir Richard). They showed the press conference live last night and a journo asked that very question. The answer is, from an altitude of 45,000 feet, the plane can glide 200 miles in still air.
egoboss said:
shame just how little publicity its getting. bad timing being just after ellen's round the world record, i guess.
both are wonderful achievements - am unsure which is the more impressive. any thoughts?
Ellen's has to be the greatest achievement - for personal endurance, stamina, mental strength etc. The human input her endeavour took must surely be far greater.
Magnificent effort by Fossett tho - hope he does it
Eric Mc said:
Not a bad guess actually. Sky (loathe though I am to give them credit) are providing the best coverage (probably paid for by Sir Richard). They showed the press conference live last night and a journo asked that very question. The answer is, from an altitude of 45,000 feet, the plane can glide 200 miles in still air.
ah ha! maybe i wasn't so crap a glider pilot, after all!? (thinks back and decides, yes i was).
reluctantly, i'd better try watching sky news then, ta!
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