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Solo Round The World Balloon Flight

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Steve Fossett and Bud Light Spirit of Freedom Achieve Aviation Milestone
The First Solo Round The World Balloon Flight

Fossett Reaches Ultimate Ballooning Goal on Sixth Try

04 July 2002: Lake Yamma Yamma, Queensland, Australia - Steve Fossetts successful 14 day, 19 hour and 51 minute round the world quest came to a stunning finish at dawn today as Bud Light Spirit of Freedom landed smoothly near Lake Yamma Yamma (dry lake) in the east Australian 0utback, 725 miles northwest of Sydney.

Having traveled 20,602 miles (32,963 km) since his launch from Northam, Western Australia, on 19 June, the American adventurer was ecstatic as he discussed this aviation milestone in a press conference scarcely 15 minutes after he emerged from his capsule.

This was my most important objective in ballooning to complete the first solo round the world balloon flight, said Fossett. I feel a tremendous sense of satisfaction. Ive worked towards this goal for 10 years this is the reason I took up ballooning.

Will I carry on ballooning? I have now fulfilled my ambition in ballooning and might go out and rent a hot air balloon, fly and have some fun with friends. But I actually dont plan on making any more major balloon flights.

To conclude the celebratory media conference this morning in Mission Control in St. Louis, Joe Castellano, Anheuser-Busch vice president of retail marketing, passed out bottles of Bud Light to the team members and proposed a toast to Fossett, as the team held up signs reading Mission Impossible: Accomplished.

You proved successfully what a man with a dream can do, said Castellano.

The Bud Light Spirit of Freedom flight certainly had some exciting moments. Fossett explained:
At one point I had to hand fly the balloon at under 500 feet in order to avoid high winds at altitude. A frozen burner control also could have ended the mission when it stuck on full open, but we got through that, too. And last night, a small but readily controlled propane fire just added to the excitement. A high-pressure propane fire on board actually is one of my greatest fears. Fortunately I was awake and instantly dove for the tank shutoff valves. I then re-connected the hose and tightened it. No problem!

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Fossett Achieves First Solo Round The World Flight
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In addition to being the first solo round the world balloon flight, the extraordinary flight of Bud Light Spirit Of Freedom also surpassed several of Steves own records, establishing new marks for the longest ever solo flights for both distance and duration not just by balloon, but by any solo aircraft.

Steve Fossett holds official world records in balloons, sailboats and airplanes, and has competed in premier endurance sports including the Iditarod dogsled race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans sportscar classic and the Ironman triathlon. Steves next project is to fly a glider to the edge of space.

For regular updates on the flight see: www.budlight.com or www.spiritoffreedom.com

For additional information, background stories, pictures and technical detail - and to follow Steves flight over the coming days, please see www.spiritoffreedom.com or www.budlight.com.

STEVE FOSSETT AND "BUD LIGHT SPIRIT OF FREEDOM" BALLOON REACH HALF WAY MARK ON FIRST SOLO ROUND-THE-WORLD BALLOON FLIGHT

"Bud Light Spirit of Freedom" Balloon and Fossett Now In South Atlantic As Adventure Continues...

27 June 2002: After eight days in the air, Steve Fossett's "Bud Light Spirit of Freedom" is right on track. The 180' high Roziere-type (constant temperature helium) balloon carrying the adventurous American aviator, yachtsman and baloonist has reached its half way mark as Fossett attempts to complete the first solo, non-stop, round-the-world balloon flight.

Having had to overcome poor wind directions at altitude (by flying for almost a day virtually along the ocean surface at below 1000' altitude) and icing conditions at higher altitudes, Fossett has now crossed the South Pacific and passed South America - and now tackles the equally difficult second half of the mission.

Launched from Northam, Western Australia, on June 19th, Steve must now cross the South Atlantic Ocean, pass Southern Africa and then travel over the Indian Ocean before reaching his Australian destination (hopefully early next week), as he attempts to complete this historic journey.

For regular updates on the flight see: www.budlight.com or www.spiritoffreedom.com

Fossett Launches 6th Attempt at First Solo Round The World Balloon

It's the right weather and the right day.
Steve Fossett, 30 minutes prior to the successful launch this morning of Bud Light Spirit of Freedom

Northam, Western Australia 19 June 2002, 19:30 am local time -

At 09:37 this morning Bud Light Spirit of Freedom American adventurer Steve Fossetts solo round the world balloon - rose gently from the turf at Northam Aerodrome, swiftly disappearing into the mist as a light rain began to fall.

Having already endured a frustrating 3 hour delay until 0645 (local time) as surface winds rose to an unacceptable level with the top tent helium cell already inflated, Fossett was eager to depart. With excellent high altitude wind speeds projected for the coming days, Steve and his hugely experienced ground team took the tough option to wait out the weather and to inflate and launch after daylight risking even further ground wind and the need for a possible deflation, extensive repairs and subsequent delays.

But the 2-1/2 hour final inflation and subsequent launch went superbly. With a businesslike Fossett quickly completing final checklists and ground preparations from on-board, the 180 (55m)high Roziere-type helium balloon and capsule ascended on an initial northeasterly course as Steve and Bud Light Spirit of Freedom sought cruising altitude and the jet stream weather systems which will ideally take him on the first solo round the world balloon flight over the next 15-20 days.

By dinner time this evening (after 12 hours of flight), Steve was on a due easterly track having covered some 1400 kms - and was making almost 100 kph ground speed.

The flight now moves into its next phase, as Steve attempts to pile on as many miles as possible on a trajectory which should include Sydney, Auckland, Santiago, Rio, Cape town and Mauritius.
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