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Round the World Flight Set for Monday

Posted by Zonk on from the where-he-stops-nobody-knows dept.

An anonymous reader writes "LiveScience is now reporting that Burt Rutan's GlobalFlyer is set for Monday takeoff. The plane, piloted by Steve Fossett, has been grounded since January by weather. The mission: the first solo, nonstop circumnavigation of the globe via jet powered craft without refueling." Commentary also available from the BBC.

4 of 129 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why is this cool? by YrWrstNtmr · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The pilot is secondary. The aircraft, and its technology, is the key thing. However, Fossett has proven, at least to Rutan, that he is a capable pilot, able to navigate all the way around the world (mostly), by himself. The people who have done that comprises a very short list.

  2. Re:first with a Jet engine by Capt'n+Hector · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Interestingly enough, that single engine is more reliable than the two props that were used before. The probability of both props failing, plus the probability of either one failing is higher than the probability of the single jet failing any time during the flight. (Although if it did fail, it would be rather close to the end of the flight, if you get my drift...)

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  3. No seriously, wtf? by celerityfm · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I would love more information on this, please someone, explain the joke/info?

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    ...unfortunately no one can be told what The Mat^H^H^HGoatse is...they must experience it for themselves...
  4. Some finer points by codeButcher · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Popular Mechanics had a nice article the other day about this, which clears up some questions:
    • According to Fosset (the designated pilot for this mission) Dick Rutan (co-pilot of the previous circumnavigation together with Jeana Yeager, and older brother of designer Burt), they met at a party at Barron Hilton's in 1999 and Rutan told Fosset: "Steve, you could do me one better; you could do it solo."
    • The plane would have to carry a ratio of 83% fuel to body weight on takeoff. Mass (and structural safety margins) where cut seriously for this, consequently the plane will only fly once with full weight (a number of test flights have been done with less weight in fuel).
    • Fossett intends to fly route without sleep, but off the American West Coast would be a good place to nap (with autopilot on) to increase alertness for descent and landing. It seems that outside of takeoff and landing, the guy would not have much more to do than monitor dials and make the off adjustment.
    • The Fédération Aéronatique Internationale, which governs air sports records, requires a 22,858-mile minimum for the record attempt. So a simple equatorial circumnavigation will not do the trick, and Fossett will fly a huge turn south over the Eastern Pacific to add the required miles.
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