GlobalFlyer 'Round The World Solo Flight Takes Off

bryanthompson writes "The Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer took off from the Salina Municipal Airport this evening at about 6:47 CST. The Salina Airport was chosen for its central location, and the fact that it is one of the few air strips long enough for the flyer to take off successfully. The trip around the world is expected to take about 80 hours, with speeds averaging 285 mph. The craft was designed for Sir Richard Branson by Burt Rutan of Scaled Composites, who also designed SpaceShipOne." Steve Fossett is piloting the craft, intended (as reader aallan puts it), "to be the first solo non-stop flight around the world without refuelling."

Comments

Any landing you walk away from...

[Vombatus]

one of the few air strips long enough for the flyer to take off successfully

I hope they have a few air strips along the way that are long enough for the flyer to land successfully - you know, in case of emergency.

Re:sleepy?

[Timesprout]

Honestly, not trying to flame but this is not as hard as most people think and has obviously been taken into cosideration before they take off. i'm not saying its a doddle but the normal military thing is 2 on 2 off and you can go for a surprisingly long time.