Virgin GlobalFlyer

Sir Richard Branson & Steve Fossett

© Ralph Sheese 2006 - used with permission

29 June 2006 Chantilly, Virginia, USA: Aviator Steve Fossett handed over the keys to his 'Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer' record-setting jet today in a ceremony at the Smithsonian Institution's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center extension of the National Air and Space Museum - marking the retirement of this highly successful single-engined jet research aircraft.

Designed and built by designer Burt Rutan's famed Scaled Composites in Mojave, California to achieve the ultimate in solo, long-distance flight, the GlobalFlyer and Steve Fossett, with unstinting support from project sponsor Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic airline made three monumental round the world flights between February 2005 and March 2006, each a record-breaker:

• The First Solo Non-Stop Airplane Flight Round the World, at the same time achieving the Absolute Non-Stop RTW Speed Record - Salina, Kansas, USA to Salina, Kansas, USA in 67 Hours, 1 minute, 10 secs at an average speed of 342.2 mph (550.7 kph) over 22,936 statute miles (36,912.68 kms) set betweem February 28 -March 3, 2005
• The Longest Distance Aircraft Flight - The Absolute Non-Stop Distance Record (any airplane or balloon) from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA to Bournemouth, England in 76 hours 42 minutes 55 seconds over 25,766 miles (41,467km) set between February 8-11, 2006
• And finally the Absolute World Record Distance Over a Closed Circuit Without Landing set March 14 - 17, 2006 in a flight round the world starting and finishing in Salina, Kansas, USA at a distance of 25,293.95 miles (40,706.56 km), after a total of 74 hours, 26 minutes and 26 seconds in the air.

The achievements of this extraordinary aircraft not only represent new world 'firsts' and new absolute aviation records, but a practical demonstration of innovative new technologies in lightweight aircraft composite construction and fuel-efficient propulsion systems - pushing back the boundaries of aviation science.

Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Atlantic commented:

"It is fitting also this week that we celebrate, innovation and commitment in aviation achievement as the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer takes her place in the Smithsonian collection at The National Air and Space Museum. Congratulations should go to Steve Fossett whose endurance and determination to push the boundaries of both himself and the aircraft have resulted in potentially changing the face of flying for everyone, by making flying even more affordable and reducing the impact on the environment."

update 29 April 2006 - Salina, Kansas, USA: NAA (National Aeronautics Association) Director and member of the NAA Contest and Records Board Brian Utley not only witnessed Steve Fossett's latest record - that for Absolute World Record Distance Over a Closed Circuit without Landing March 14 - 17 but he has also written up the flight in an excellent article currently appearing on the Technology Evangelist website.

This Absolute World Record for Distance Over a Closed Circuit without Landing was previously held by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager (since 1986) flying the twin piston-engined Voyager over a course of 40,212.14 kilometers or 24,986.73 miles. Steve's recent flight round the world starting and finishing in Salina, Kansas claimed a distance of 40,706.56 kilometers or 25,293.95 miles, exceeding the old record by 1.23%, after a total of 74 hours, 26 minutes and 26 seconds in the air.

As Brian notes, per normal record filing procedures, Steve's claim, together with the flight and observer data, has now been submitted to the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) for approval. After receiving NAA approval, it will be submitted to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) for final approval as a World Record.

As on Steve's first non-stop, un-refueled rtw flight from Salina just over a year ago, Kansas State University at Salina students once again worked closely with Fossett and Scaled Composites to support the attempt. Mission Control was housed at K-State at Salina, and in addition to aircraft maintenance and flight operations, students also were responsible for all the Web updates and flight tracking resources available to the general public.

Following the flight, Steve remarked how grateful he was for the support of the students, faculty and staff of the school. Upon landing, he also was named honorary captain of the K-State Flight Team.

12 March 2006 - Salina, Kansas, USA: Record-setting aviator Steve Fossett has one more major aviation record planned for his redoubtable 'Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer' single-engine jet before the unique aircraft is retired to the Smithsonian later this year - an attempt on the 24,986.73 mile (40,212.14 km) Absolute Closed Circuit Distance Record ("Distance over Closed Circuit without Landing" as defined by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale - the FAI) held since 1986 by Dick Rutan and Jeanna Yeager flying Global Flyer's illustrious predecessor, the twin-engined 'Voyager'.

Plans are now in place for the 75 - 80 hour flight this week from the GlobalFlyer's home base at K-State, Salina - with both local and world-wide weather looking good for a Tuesday morning launch. His planned route will take him via Newfoundland, western Europe, Africa, India, China, Japan, then dip south towards the Equator before crossing the USA coast in California and a return to Salina.

Steve's international support team will include key personnel Jon Karkow and Clint Nichols from aircraft builder Scaled Composite in Mojave, CA as well as flight planner Kevin Stass in the UK and Belgian meteorologist David Dehenauw. Mission Control has been established at K-State (Kansas State University) at Salina.

For further details and to follow the flight, please consult the Mission Control website.

A "closed circuit" is a course that starts and finishes at the same start point - via any number of intermediary 'turn points'. Steve's eastbound course for this month's record attempt will be roughly similar to the 36,898 kms he flew in February 2005 when he both achieved the first ever solo non-stop rtw flight by an airplane and set the FAI Round the World Speed Record, but will include a number of additional turn points causing him to travel an even greater overall distance. (Steve's recent 41,467 km Global Flyer 'Ultimate Flight' was strictly a distance record, as the start and finish points were at different locations.)

The 7 Absolute Records of the FAI are:

DISTANCE WITHOUT LANDING
25,766 miles (41,467 km)
Steve Fossett
Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer, February 2006

DISTANCE OVER A CLOSED CIRCUIT
24,986.73 miles (40,212.14 km)
Richard Rutan and Jeana Yeager
Voyager, December 1986

ALTITUDE
123,524 ft (37,650 m)
Alexander Fedotov
MIG-25 Foxbat, August 1977

ALTITUDE IN HORIZONTAL FLIGHT 85,069 ft (25,929 m)
Robert Helt, USAF
SR-71A Blackbird, July 1977

SPEED OVER A STRAIGHT COURSE
2,193.16 mph (3,529.56 km/h)
Eldon Joersz, USAF
SR-71A Blackbird, July 1977

SPEED OVER A CLOSED CIRCUIT
2,092.29 mph (3,367.22 km/h)
Adolphus Bledsoe, USAF
SR-71A Blackbird, July 1977

SPEED AROUND THE WORLD NON-STOP AND NON-REFUELED
342.24 mph (550.8 km/h)
Steve Fossett
Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer, March 2005

Steve Fossett advised his team on Saturday:

"We now have all major permissions and the route is substantially set. Tuesday's morning temperature should be slightly below freezing and winds light at about 5 knots. Approximate takeoff time will be approximately 7 AM on Tuesday, March 14. - Steve"

11 February 2006, Manston, Kent UK / Bournemouth, Hampshire, UK 17:07 GMT: Steve Fossett set a new world record today for the longest flight by any aircraft in history – 26,389 statute miles. But not without a final drama.

As Steve began his descent from 40 000 feet thirty minutes before an expected arrival at Kent International Airport at Manston, the GlobaFlyer suffered generator failure. With only battery power, Steve declared an immediate mayday and was directed to Bournemouth where accompanied by the Citation X chase plane he made a safe landing despite suffering 2 blown tires.

After a brief visit with his medical team (as well as with the Bournemouth fire crew) Steve flew with Sir Richard Branson on to Manston in the Citation X and received a great welcome on the tarmac followed by a press conference.

Steve;

“Great to be here at Kent International… sorry I didn’t bring the aeroplane.”

For all the detail please visit www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com

11 February 2006, Kent International Airport, Manston, Kent, UK 08:00 GMT: Steve Fossett and Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer passed over St John's, Newfoundland, the aviators' traditional 'jumping off point' from North America, known to Alcock and Brown in 1919, to Lindbergh in 1927 and to the captain of every modern trans Atlantic airliner. Measured on a great circle route, he is 2064 nautical miles / 2375 statute miles / 3823 kms from his target destination here in Kent on the UK east coast - and the record for the longest flight in aviation history.

This morning Flight Mission Control were advising journalists to plan for a touchdown around 6:30 pm tonight (18:30 GMT) - about an hour after dark.

10 February 2006, Kent International Airport, Manston, Kent, UK 17:50 GMT: Steve Fossett's Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer - 'Ultimate Flight' is still progressing well, as he expects to cross the coast of Baja California is just about 35 minutes. His heading is 90.7 degrees (due East), with airspeed at 257 kts (296 mph / 476 kph) at 50,608 feet altitude (15,425 m). But the past has required Steve to continually reach for best Jetstream conditions to maintain his fuel efficiency - and have not been without other drama as well.

As reported on the official mission website Steve has admitted that during a period of "severe" turbulence yesterday he had put on his parachute in case he had to abandon the aircraft in case of a structural failure. The tubulence occurred at approximately 14:30 GMT Thursday as he flew over Bhophal, India.

Steve said: "I was afraid it was going to break up. It was a scary time and I had my parachute on and I was prepared to bail out in case a wing broke."

Conditions now are much improved - and our colleagues at Virgin Atlantic issued the following press advisory about 1 hour ago (Friday afternoon):

"ESTIMATED LANDING UPDATE: Steve Fossett has a long way to go and a lot of hurdles to overcome, but if the jetstreams are good, and fuel levels adequate, our current best estimate for Steve to land the Virgin Atlantic Globalflyer at Kent International airport stands at between 6pm and 8pm tomorrow, Saturday 11th February. NB THIS TIME IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE."

Further updates on the estimated landing time will be posted on the Virgin Atlantic Globalflyer website: www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com.

GlobalFlyer in the sky

© Powers Unlimited / Marathon Racing 2006 - used with permission

9 February 2006, Crawley, West Sussex, UK 10:10 GMT: As reported from Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer Mission Control after almost 27 hours aloft, Steve Fossett and his solo jet are now flying at 47,000 ft (14,300 m) and benefiting from a welcome bit of good Jetstream tailwind, making 340 kts (391 mph / 630 kph) speed over the ground. Right now, that ground is the east coast of the Arabian peninsula, as Steve passes over the United Arab Emirates on a southeasterly heading of 105.2 degrees.

See www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com for latest news, position, route maps, data, and all the latest feature coverage.

Commenting on yesterday's hazardous, maximum-fuelled launch, Steve reported:

"Take-off was a bit scary to say the least. I had to use most of the runway to get off the ground. This was particularly hairy because I could not have aborted even if I had wanted to. To make matters worse, two birds hit the aircraft on take-off, luckily there does not seem to be any sign of damage. The climb was very physical for a time. The internal temperatures hit approximately 130F, so hot that the instruments stopped working. I was very uncomfortable for a time."

Apart from the bird strikes and the heat, there were a few more worries on the climbout - including about 750 lbs of fuel lost to venting problems - frustrating, but substantially less than the over 3000 lbs lost during last year's first solo rtw flight. Fortunately the excessive cockpit temperatures have now come down and Steve is now able to stay hydrated and conserve his drinks supply.

So far it is also reported on the Mission Control website that Steve has covered about 4000 miles less than hoped for due to an overall pattern of lower than expected Jetstream winds at his back and fuel conservation measures, but members of the Virgin Atlantic and Scaled Composites teams remain confident - and are working with him to maximize his fuel efficiency and to take advantage of those high altitude winds he can use. The target is still a Saturday night or Sunday morning arrival at Kent International Airport (formerly RAF Manston), 75 miles east of London.

Clint Nichols from Scaled Composites commented on the fuel situation and the importance that Steve fly as efficiently as possible, in particular flying slowly without losing too much altitude:

"We're running out of allowances for fuel loss now. Steve is working really hard to fly at the optimum speed, which will change as the weight of the plane changes and will always be getting slower."

Steve Fossett takes off from Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility at 12:22.09 GMT / 07:22.09 EST Wednesday 8 Feb 2006

© Powers Unlimited / Marathon Racing 2006 - used with permission

Download Hi-Res Image 2.5MB - free for news use

8 February 2006, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA: At 07:22 (local time) this morning, record-setting pilot Steve Fossett set off down the long runway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility in his Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer single-engine jet. His target - the longest distance flight in aviation history, over 26,000 statute miles. The takeoff used a healthy 11,500 feet of the 15,000 foot runway as the heavily laden (over 22,000 lbs all up takeoff weight) aircraft powered into the air and its 80+ hour appointment with the record book. If all goes to plan, Steve will fly over a full lap of the planet, crossing the North Atlantic for a second time and land Saturday evening at Kent International Airport, 75 miles east of London in the UK. Non-stop. All on a single load of fuel.

After 12 hours aloft Steve had reached over 40,000' altitude more than halfway across the Atlantic about 2000 miles west of Casablanca (Morocco), and was traveling at 329 kts (379 mph) on a heading of 104.4 degrees (SouthEast). His route should now take him across North Africa, Saudi Arabia, India, China, Japan, the Pacific, Mexico, up the US East coast, past Newfoundland and across the North Atlantic again before alighting in Britain.

For all the latest updates throughout the flight, including map displays and latest position, speed and heading data please consult www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com.

The current record for the longest flight by an airplane is held by the Voyager aircraft (pilots Dick Rutan & Jeanna Yeager), flying 24,987 miles (40,212 km) in 1986. The longest flight by any kind of aircraft is held by the Breitling Orbiter balloon at 25,361 miles (40,814 km) in 1999 (pilots Bertrand Piccard & Brian Jones).

Steve Fossett aims to break both of these existing records - covering 26,084 miles (41,978 km) in approximately 80 hours.

7 February 2006, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA - 21:22 GMT: Steve Fossett just advised the 'Ultimate Flight' is code Green for tomorrow, Wednesday 8 Feb:

"Launch is planned between 0641 and 0706 Wednesday 8 February.

The fuel leak is fixed and we believe the worldwide wind pattern is acceptable. I hope to be flying in the morning. - Steve"

7 February 2006 Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA: Steve Fossett's Ultimate Flight take off this morning has had to be cancelled due to a fuel leak. Repairs are underway, but will take at least a day. A takeoff for later this week is still under consideration.

As reported on the official mission website www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com, at around 06:50 local Florida time, Steve and the team discovered the fault on the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer which meant it would be unsafe to take off and attempt the record.

Jon Karkow of Scaled Composites explained the problem:

"Unfortunately for today a small mechanical issue called a halt to the flight. We have discoverd a small fuel leak which happens to be an element of the fuel system which we changed last flight. This new element has never been tested with a full fuel load before... We learned once it was fully fuelled that we had a small leak in that system. The leak is a fairly simple thing to fix but it will take around 24 hours because it requires fuel sealant material."

Steve Fossett added:

"We discovered the fuel leak about 25 minutes ago just as we were putting my equipment in the airplane and we were ready to take off on time as planned."

The mission website further reported that although good weather conditions are expected for the rest of the week, Steve said he does not expect to launch tomorrow (Wednesday). Further analysis of jet streams and weather conditions are being carried out to assess whether the flight is possible this week.

Please consult the mission website - www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com for latest details.

The 'Ultimate Flight' coding system for weather standby is the same as that used by Fossett for his previous round the world solo balloon, round the world solo airplane, gliding and sailing world record projects:

• Code Red -- No possibility of launch during this time period (team on standby)
• Code Yellow -- Launch being considered (team members prepare to go to takeoff site / mission positions)
• Code Green -- Launch is planned (team members go to takeoff site / mission positions)

The current record for the longest flight by an airplane is held by the Voyager aircraft (pilots Dick Rutan & Jeanna Yeager), flying 24,987 miles (40,212 km) in 1986. The longest flight by any kind of aircraft is held by the Breitling Orbiter balloon at 25,361 miles (40,814 km) in 1999 (pilots Bertrand Piccard & Brian Jones).

Steve Fossett aims to break both of these existing records - covering 26,084 miles (41,978 km) in approximately 80 hours. Please see the dedicated website - www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com for additional details and updates on the record attempt.

4 February 2006, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA: Steve Fossett announced today a planned launch for Tuesday morning, February 7th for his Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer 'Ultimate Flight' seeking to achieve the longest flight in aviation history. Using the Space Shuttle's 15'000 foot landing runway for the launch of his 22,000 lb single-engined jet, Fossett's round the world - and then some - flight of some 26,000 miles will take over 80 hours, with landing planned at Kent International Airport, 75 miles east of London in the UK.

Steve Fossett today:

"We plan to attempt a launch on February 7 at first light at 6:42 AM. It is a tough decision because there is the risk of a small weather front reaching Kennedy Space Center. If I do not launch before the front arrives, the rain and warm temperatures would result in a cancellation for that date.

We are proceeding to Kennedy Space Center for final preparations.

Steve Fossett"

3 February 2006, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA: Pilot Steve Fossett advised this afternoon that 'round the world high-altitude wind patterns were looking better for next week - and for team members to be on 'Code Yellow' standby for a possible launch of 'Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer' as early as Tuesday February 7th.

Steve Fossett:

"Our strategy is to fly on the best day between February 7 and 12. Analysis by (meteorologist) David Dehenauw shows reasonable possibilities throughout this period for RTW winds. However departures on the 8th and 9th may be blocked by Jet Stream turbulence during the initial climb.

With the wind forecast, (Mission Control Director) Kevin Stass has found that February 7 will be a faster flight than February 8. Unless a better day shows up in later forecasts, we will plan to launch on February 7. - Steve"

The 'Ultimate Flight' coding system for weather standby is the same as that used by Fossett for his previous round the world solo balloon, round the world solo airplane, gliding and sailing world record projects:

• Code Red -- No possibility of launch during this time period (team on standby)
• Code Yellow -- Launch being considered (team members prepare to go to takeoff site / mission positions)
• Code Green -- Launch is planned (team members go to takeoff site / mission positions)

The current record for the longest flight by an airplane is held by the Voyager aircraft (pilots Dick Rutan & Jeanna Yeager), flying 24,987 miles (40,212 km) in 1986. The longest flight by any kind of aircraft is held by the Breitling Orbiter balloon at 25,361 miles (40,814 km) in 1999 (pilots Bertrand Piccard & Brian Jones).

Steve Fossett aims to break both of these existing records - covering 26,084 miles (41,978 km) in approximately 80 hours. Please see the dedicated website - www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com for additional details and updates on the record attempt.

28 January 2006, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA: Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer pilot Steve Fossett contacted his team early this morning with the bad news that the 'Ultimate Flight' departure status had reverted to Code Red until 6 February at least.

"The China government bureaus have now closed for Chinese New Year's holiday until February 5 without issuing an Overflight Permit for the Ultimate Flight. Flying around China would be too slow for a successful flight. The earliest takeoff date we will be able to consider is February 6.

What a shame: the Kennedy Space Center weather and worldwide winds for February 1 were what we wanted. - Steve"

Of course the season isn't over, not by a longshot. Other weather windows are hoped for through February (featuring cold, dense air at ground level for takeoff, minimal turbulence while climbing to altitude, with good high-altitude Jetstreams along the route) but for now it's back to Code Red.

An excellent interview conducted by BBC.co.uk and printed Monday.

25 January 2005 - Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA: Improving launch weather conditions at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (cold, dense air is desirable) have upgraded Steve Fossett's team from Code Red to Code Yellow for a possible takeoff early next week. Steve relayed the information this morning:

"Kennedy Space Center will have acceptable takeoff conditions starting January 31. We are examining the Round the World winds based on a launch at sunrise on February 1. We are hopeful that everything will come together for the start of the Ultimate Flight between January 31 and February 2, thus we are Code Yellow. When we have more confidence in an exact launch date, we would declare Code Green. I plan to arrive Kennedy Space Center on Sunday, January 29.

Steve Fossett"

23 January 2006 - Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA: Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer Pilot Steve Fossett updated his team today that current weather conditions are still unfavorable - both on the ground and at altitude - so there is no apparent opportunity for a launch before 1st of February at the earliest - but that time is still on the side of 'The Ultimate Flight':

"We gave consideration to a January 26 launch, but now have rejected that date for several reasons: takeoff temperatures are at the high limit of acceptable range, Jetstream over Florida indicates turbulence, and Jetstream in Asia is north of our preferred route. We are not yet late in the season, so we can hope for a better pattern.

The next date for consideration is February 1. - Steve Fossett"

---

The 'Ultimate Flight' coding system for weather standby is the same as that used by Fossett for his previous round the world solo balloon, round the world solo airplane, gliding and sailing world record projects:

• Code Red -- No possibility of launch during this time period (team on standby)
• Code Yellow -- Launch being considered (team members prepare to go to takeoff site / mission positions)
• Code Green -- Launch is planned (team members go to takeoff site / mission positions)

The current record for the longest flight by an airplane is held by the Voyager aircraft (pilots Dick Rutan & Jeanna Yeager), flying 24,987 miles (40,212 km) in 1986. The longest flight by any kind of aircraft is held by the Breitling Orbiter balloon at 25,361 miles (40,814 km) in 1999 (pilots Bertrand Piccard & Brian Jones).

Steve Fossett aims to break both of these existing records - covering 26,084 miles (41,978 km) in approximately 80 hours. Please see the dedicated website - www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com for additional details and updates on the record attempt.

18 January 2006 - Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA: Pilot Steve Fossett advised his team today that continued warm temperatures at Kennedy Space Center precludes any launch of the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer 'Ultimate Flight' through January 27.

© Jim Sugar 2004 (used with permission)

Saturday, 14 January 2006 - Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA: The aircraft is on site at the takeoff point - and now the wait for good weather conditions begins...

After a successful transition flight from Salina, Kansas to NASA's Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility on Thursday, pilot Steve Fossett advised his team earlier today that current meteorological conditions are not optimal, and that he and the Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer would await (at least) the next weather pattern - anticipated for sometime after the 23rd of this month - before embarking on his 'Ultimate Flight' to set the record for the longest distance flight in aviation history.

Although the solo pilot, aircraft and support team will all be ready to go by January 19th, high-altitude jet stream and turbulence forecasts for the coming days are 'marginal' and projected takeoff temperatures are at the maximum acceptable level (the single-engine jet aircraft very much appreciating the benefits of cold, dense air for a fully-fueled takeoff).

Steve Fossett explained:

"Rather than press for the earliest possible launch of January 19, it will be more practical to look ahead to the next weather pattern. Through January 23, the temperatures at Kennedy Space Center will be too warm for a heavy weight takeoff of the Virgin Global Flyer - and jet streams and turbulence are marginal as well, thus 'Code Red'.
- Steve"

The 'Ultimate Flight' coding system for weather standby is the same as that used by Fossett for his previous round the world solo balloon, round the world solo airplane, gliding and sailing world record projects:

• Code Red -- No possibility of launch during this time period (team on standby)
• Code Yellow -- Launch being considered (team members prepare to go to takeoff site / mission positions)
• Code Green -- Launch is planned (team members go to takeoff site / mission positions)

The current record for the longest flight by an airplane is held by the Voyager aircraft (pilots Dick Rutan & Jeanna Yeager), flying 24,987 miles (40,212 km) in 1986. The longest flight by any kind of aircraft is held by the Breitling Orbiter balloon at 25,361 miles (40,814 km) in 1999 (pilots Bertrand Piccard & Brian Jones).

Steve Fossett aims to break both of these existing records - covering 26,084 miles (41,978 km) in approximately 80 hours. Please see the dedicated website - www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com for additional details and updates on the record attempt.

10 January 2006 - Salina, Kansas, USA: If all goes to plan, record-setting pilot Steve Fossett's Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer single-engined jet will be standing by at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida beginning Thursday, January 19th - ready to set off on its 26,000+ mile 'Ultimate Flight' - the longest distance flight in aviation history. The 15,000 foot runway at KSC is one of the few suitable US runways from which Fossett can takeoff in the fully fueled record-setting aircraft, which will circle the globe and then continue across the North Atlantic a second time to land at Kent International Airport in the United Kingdom, 75 miles east of London.

The repairs to the wingtip after last week's ground mishap have progressed well, with a flight test scheduled for Wednesday, January 11th. But there are still a few more hurdles to cross before the 80 + hour flight can be fully ready. And even then the weather will need to cooperate.

As Steve Fossett advised his team this afternoon:

"January 19 is the new Ready Date for the Ultimate Flight. This is based on everything going well and on schedule, including:

• Test Flight Wednesday to confirm successful repair of the wing
• Transition Flight Thursday, January 12 from Salina to Kennedy Space Center
• Arrival of our JP-4 Fuel Trailer at Kennedy on January 16
• Obtaining necessary Overflight Permissions

Then the actual departure date will depend on critical weather conditions, including:

• Temperatures at dawn takeoff time of 52 F or lower
• Minimal turbulence during the 3 hour initial climb of the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer
• Good worldwide jetstreams with no headwinds on the planned route

Steve"

After the Transition Flight on January 12th, almost all of the team are expected to return home on January 14th to await a declared launch date.

The current record for the longest flight by an airplane is held by the Voyager aircraft (pilots Dick Rutan & Jeanna Yeager), flying 24,987 miles (40,212 km) in 1986. The longest flight by any kind of aircraft is held by the Breitling Orbiter balloon at 25,361 miles (40,814 km) in 1999 (pilots Bertrand Piccard & Brian Jones).

Steve Fossett aims to beat both of these existing records - covering 26,084 miles (41,978 km) in approximately 80 hours. Please see the dedicated website - www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com for additional details and updates on the record attempt.

6 January 2006 - Salina, Kansas, USA: Pilot Steve Fossett advised today that the damage to the wingtip on Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer this past week (incurred in a low-speed ground incident as the aircraft was being pushed into its hangar) was already being repaired, and the repositioning of the aircraft to its planned takeoff point at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida - originally planned for today - was still anticipated for later in January.

Steve Fossett:

"The diagnosis is that the damage is limited to a crack in the carbon skin of the left wing and the left wingtip. Carbon repair materials have been received and a repair plan has been prepared. This is a job for experts. Fortunately we have experts here: Chief Engineer Jon Karkow and Crew Chief Philip Grassa, both from Scaled Composites.

The repair process is complex with 5 separate cure cycles of the carbon lay up. By working through the weekend, we hope to have the repair completed and tested by the end of next week (January 13). It is conceivable that the transition flight from Salina to Kennedy Space Center will be in the week of January 16-20, but this is very tentative until repairs and testing are complete."

Please see the dedicated website - www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com for additional details and updates on the record attempt.

© Jim Sugar 2004 (used with permission)

29 July 2005 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA: Steve Fossett flew the elegant Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer jet into EAA AirVenture - the Experimental Aviation Association's annual festival here in Oshkosh, Wisconsin yesterday - and today joined longtime friend and sponsor Sir Richard Branson announced that they had joined forces once again to launch "The Ultimate Flight" - to set the record for the longest flight of all time. The flight is planned for early in 2006, aiming to fly around 4,000 miles further than any plane or balloon has flown. Steve Fossett will again fly solo, non-stop and without refuelling in the Burt Rutan designed Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer - the same aircraft in which he successfully circumnavigated the globe (covering a distance of 20,373 miles / 32,786 km) in March 2005.

The current record for the FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) Absolute World Record for Distance Without Landing is held by the twin-engined Voyager (also designed by Burt Rutan) which flew for 24,987 miles (40,212 km) in 1986. The longest flight by a balloon is held by Breitling Orbiter 3 which flew for 25,361 miles (40,814 km) in 1999. Steve Fossett plans to take off from Salina, Kansas early in 2006. He will then circumnavigate the globe before flying across the North Atlantic a second time, landing at an airport around London, UK. In so doing he will cover approximately 29,000 miles (46,500 km) in around 90 hours.

Steve Fossett described his feelings on the attempt:

"The Longest Distance airplane flight is possible with the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer but very difficult. I am attracted by a challenge that is at the very edge of my ability and endurance."

Commenting on The Ultimate Flight record attempt, Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Atlantic Airways said:

"This is the ultimate aviation record and an almost unbelievable test of Steve and the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer's endurance. 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. The Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer is a unique aircraft - one of the most fuel-efficient ever made - and Steve has proved time and again that he stands apart from other record breakers. If he pulls this one off it will be his greatest achievement to date!"

Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer suffered a dramatic loss of fuel which threatened to prevent Steve Fossett achieving the circumnavigation. The aircraft took off with 18,100lbs of fuel but within the first few hours of flight 3,088lbs of fuel disappeared. Scaled Composites (the Burt Rutan company which built the plane) have since established that the fuel escaped through vents in the fuel tank behind the engine and have made modifications to prevent this happening again. Despite this loss the aircraft performed better than expected and landed with 1,500lbs of fuel. These factors give the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer team the confidence to believe the aircraft can fly much further than any previous plane or balloon.

Jon Karkow, GlobalFlyer Lead Engineer at Scaled Composites, also welcomed the new record attempt:

"We designed GlobalFlyer to fly around the world without stopping and to smash the speed record while doing so. To ensure success on the first attempt, the decision was made early on to make the aircraft capable of globe-circling range plus a fifteen percent margin. This decision, along with unexpectedly strong tailwinds, was the key to the subsequent success of the flight - a flight during which a huge amount of fuel was lost due to a fuel system anomaly. The question remains; just how far could we have flown if that fuel hadn't been lost and with equally strong tailwinds? The problems with the fuel system have now been corrected and it is up to Steve Fossett and the rest of his world team to find out!"

The Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer aircraft is a single pilot, single engine turbofan aircraft designed for non-stop global circumnavigation. Scaled used computer aided aerodynamics to design the aircraft. The structure of the plane is entirely made from composite material and is ultra light. The aircraft will fly at 45,000ft and travel at speeds in excess of 250knots (285 mph, 440kph).

A dedicated website - www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com - will provide updates and details of the record attempt including an unprecedented level of live communication from the aircraft during the flight itself. The site has been designed and managed by Conchango and hosted by Energis.