GlobalFlyer 'Round The World Solo Flight Takes Off

Posted by timothy on Monday February 28, 2005 @02:48PM from the bon-voyage-and-good-luck dept.

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."

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Details? by NerdConspiracy · 2005-02-28 15:53 · Score: 0, Troll

Not a lot of details there. What's so special about this plane that allows it to fly for 80 hours without refueling. What kind of engine etc

Not that I care all that much. Another billionaire trying to get into record books. I had a good laugh every time Richard Branson's baloon crashed, and I'll have a good laugh here too