Steve Fossett
Steve Fossett
James Stephen "Steve" Fossettwas an American businessman and a record-setting aviator, sailor, and adventurer. He was the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in a balloon. He made his fortune in the financial services industry and was best known for many world records, including five nonstop circumnavigations of the Earth: as a long-distance solo balloonist, as a sailor, and as a solo flight fixed-wing aircraft pilot...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionAviator
Date of Birth22 April 1944
CountryUnited States of America
There's no turning back. It was halfway around the world when I found the fuel problem, ... Not only might the flight not have finished, but I might have gotten the plane stuck somewhere.
Currently, I would say the chances are no more than 50-50. It would be devastating to have to ditch the ultimate distance record when I am in the home straight.
I was really lucky to make it here today, there was a lot going on. The tension of the final part really took it out of me, but I will be fine in the morning.
To fly this distance that I plan to fly, everything has to go right. So if I were to have the same fuel venting problem and lose fuel, then I would not be able to accomplish the mission and I would cut it short.
Today's forecast shows good winds until Thursday -- but then there are possible headwinds to slow us up when we reach the English Channel,
Frankly, I do them for the satisfaction of those achievements. I have a feeling of contentment and a satisfaction that I've done something faster or farther than anyone before.
Fuel OK, oxygen OK, got four hours of sleep last night and physical condition is very good,
So far there have been few problems. A broken winch was readily repaired by the crew, as was a batten problem in the mainsail. Sailing winds have been excellent and at one point we were flying a hull,
You have to believe that you are going to succeed with this flight because a water landing would be very dangerous, ... I'm using the same capsule I've used for seven balloon flights, and it's seaworthy.
We were dragged for at least a couple of miles and probably bounced 50 times before the balloon settled down enough so we could get outside the capsule and jump into the water,
When Richard and I jumped out and we're in the water and we're right close to each other, I reached over and shook hands and said, 'We've survived,'
The next launch attempt will be made on the morning of Wednesday the 8th, at between 06:41 and 07:06 local time (11:41 to 12:06 UTC).
It's something I've wanted to do for a long time.
It was a scary time, and I had my parachute on and I was prepared to bail out in case a wing broke.