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The Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer has successfully reached the half-way point in its round-the-world record
attempt by flying 180 degrees of longitude from the point of take off. At 07:05:33 UTC (12:35:33 in India) the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer reached the half-way point 275nm
(320m) west of Kolkata (Calcutta) in India which means it has now covered 9841.5nm (11,350miles). At this point Steve Fossett was 30hrs and 19 minutes into his record
attempt. The total distance which needs to be covered in order to qualify for the record is 19,863nm.
Steve Fossett took off on his circumnavigation from Salina Airport, Kansas at 18:47:10 CST (00:47:10 UTC) on Monday 28 February.
The radical aircraft is piloted by Steve Fossett, legendary aviator, sailor and record breaker, who is attempting the first solo non-stop flight around the world. It is hoped
the record attempt will be successfully completed within 80 hours. The pioneering aircraft - the world’s most efficient jet plane - has been designed by aviation legend
Burt Rutan.
Sir Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Atlantic,
said, “We couldn’t have wished for a better start for Steve’s voyage and reaching the half-way point is a major milestone
in Steve’s attempt to become the first person to fly solo, non-stop around the world.”
Kevin Stass, Mission Control Director,
commented, “There was a loud cheer in Mission Control as Steve passed through the half-way point but we are keeping the
champagne on ice as Steve still has a long way to go. I immediately rang Steve to congratulate him on reaching this milestone in the flight and he said he was pleased
with his progress so far.”
Built by Scaled Composites, the 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 will be ultra light. The aircraft will fly 75% further than the
range record for jet-powered planes.
A dedicated web site, www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com,
is providing updates and details of the record attempt including an unprecedented level of live
communication from the aircraft during the flight itself.
See
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Atlantic
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