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Jim Bennett--- Senior Editor 
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Global Flyer Battles For An Aviation Endurance Record and More

We all will miss Steve Fossett

By Jim Bennett

Oct 2007

Adventure, Challenge, Endeavor, Endurance, Entrepreneurship, Efficiency, Excellence and Application are among key mission hallmarks in this global quest of its three chief visionaries.  The all star players are Sir Richard Branson, adventurer/uber-entrepreneur/ risk taker, Steve Fossett, adventurer/record setter/ pilot and Burt Rutan, legendary designer/aerospace visionary/innovator. This "can do"  team  have focused their considerable creative energies, resources and people to achieve multiple goals on a global scale with historical adventure and flair like Wally Parks first global circumnavigation in 1933 with 11 stops in 8 days. 

Now, this grand endeavor has evolved into a single seat, single jet engine surrounded by a sleek fuselage designed to fly around the world non-stop, with no refueling in between 66 and 80 hours. Steve Fossett is a determined and skillful pilot who will face uncertain and ever changing conditions in this daring and  historic aviation event.  At the end of a successful mission they hope to apply newly developed technologies to future flight applications such as better fuel efficiencies, lighter/stronger materials, improved design/manufacturing techniques and application of evolving digital man/machine interfaces.

Gentlemen Start Your Engine

Beginning in mid America at Salina, Kansas the Global Flyer lifted off Monday evening February 28 in rapid darkening twilight conditions and loaded with over 18,000 pounds of fuel in an aircraft having a net weight of less than 4000 pounds .  This would not be a typical global flight record attempt in the 23,000 miles remaining ahead.  

For example, the engine is a modified Williams using JP-4 using an older type of aviation fuel.  It is a 50/50 mix of gasoline and kerosene that does not solidify easily in the low temperatures that will be experienced during the flight at 40,000 to 45,000 feet.  Fuel is stored in 13 tanks in each of the two main booms, inner sections of the wings and behind Steve in the main fuselage.  All this is controlled by pumps, valves, drains and over pressure vents. 

All fuel must drain properly and reach the engine for burn if the mission is to be successful.  A backup plans are available which range from flying in high jet stream winds (a form of NASCAR drafting except at high altitude) and can significantly help fuel conservation.  The GlobalFlyer has a tremendous glide ratio of 37:1 which is more than double of most commercial passenger jets.  The bottom line is the craft can glide about 200 miles without fuel and easily land on normal runways that populate the western United States once it successfully completes the Pacific crossing.    

It was noted, the day before take off in a press conference discussing emergency systems, Sir Richard  promptly took off his watch and gave it to good friend Steve Fossett.  This may seem odd, but this Breitling watch has a built-in Emergency Positioning Indicating Radiobeacon (EPIRB).  It sends a signal through the GPS satellites so the person and their position can be quickly and precisely identified.  By touching a button the chase plane or rescue team could quickly and precisely be sent to help.  Richard commented its only a temporary gift and declared "I want you and it back in one piece--Please."

During takeoff, the prime GPS unit was encountering problems but received periodic mission control guidance during the Atlantic crossing.  It crossed Africas coast and the Atlas Mountains 15 hours later with few problems.  Steve flew over 6400 miles at just over 47,000 feet was  "chirpy and sounded remarkably together" as he approached Libya nearing the 30% mark on the global voyage..      

Halfway Home

On Tuesday, Pakistan and India are geographically at the halfway mark from Salina.  Project Manager Paul Moore said "Steve is in remarkably good spirits for someone whos been awake now for over 24 hours."  Global Flyer has flown around 9,000 miles in over 27 hours and is still on schedule.  The aircraft has reached a high altitude of 49,500 feet and has 9,600 pounds of fuel remaining.  

Mission Control Director, Kevin Stass remarked Steve has trained vigorously for this world record attempt and that "power napping" is helpful while the autopilot keeps him at level flight.   Mission Control continuously monitors his altitude and course positioning with the option of calling him on the satellite phone if anything were to go wrong.  All in all, the team is confident in the missions progress and the aircrafts performance at the moment.

Fuel Problems Arise

Early Wednesday morning Mission Control announced a possible fuel loss or discrepancy of 2,600 pounds in the readings between the fuel burn and a series of probes in the main beams of the Virgin Atlantic Flyer.  This could lead to the attempt being  abandoned for safety reasons.  Steve and Mission Control will decide in the next two hours whether its safe to depart Japanese airspace for the widest part of the planned Pacific Ocean segment and the most venerable part of the route.

Various in-flight tests still know little as to why or how the problem occurred.  As to the cause, they were unable to say whether it was due to evaporation or leakage.  Jon Karkow said "We really dont know what it isIts more likely a system issue, such as a fuel venting line.  Its very puzzling for us, and we saw it quite early on."   Paul Moore, project manager said Steve has "insufficient fuel to make it without a certain level of tailwinds .  So Steve is now literally at the mercy of the winds."    Steve said "I think there are still some significant hurdles here.  I dont have a very high level of confidence at this point."  The fuel loss is also thought to be responsible for the good climate performance and higher altitude than anticipated in the early stages of the flight.

A first stage Pacific crossing will be attempted at 42 hours of flight following the 2,600 pounds of fuel loss.  He will aim to reach Hawaii where he will re-assess the situation.  All are now taking the mission one step at a time.  Steve is nearly in daylight and will continue to have 100 knot tailwinds assisting his flight until Hawaii.  After this point, the winds are expected to be only around 40 knots because at least 58 knots are needed to make it to Salina.  Mission Control has advised to slow flight speed down to increase overall efficiency  and to conserve fuel.

Sir Richard Branson said "I think its too soon to be confident that hell make it all the way around the world.  I think by the time he reaches Hawaii well have a pretty good idea of whether hell make it."

Renewed Hope

Early Thursday morning with less than 3,000 ponds of fuel remaining it was determined sufficient fuel remains to continue onward.  An aborted Hawaii landing would not be necessary.  Luckily, the jet stream  with 100 mph winds has been extraordinary and allowed Steve to make up some time and conserve fuel as he heads east to California.  He said "I have every hope of making it to Salina. 

Organizers are now expecting the GlobleFlyer to be in Salina midday Thursday.  Paul Moore Project Manager said "With the current fuel situation Steve should be able to land with fuel to spare."   It was also mentioned that Steve and the aircraft are both to their limits of endurance. 

About 8:30 am GlobleFlyer is flying over the California coast and heading for Salina, Kansas.

Steve and Virgin Atlantics GlobalFlyer   have been flying for about 60 hours  and a successful ending  is in sight.  Lets wish them continued good luck and a safe landing.  

   End of a great trip: