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
So far, I've been able to control descents and climbs to 500 feet per minute. Autopilot cannot keep up. Parachute is on in case of envelope rupture.
So far, I've been able to control descents and climbs to 500 feet per minute, ... Autopilot cannot keep up. Parachute is on in case of envelope rupture.
They see that as part of their future. We're a discovery project for them, to discover new uses for the shuttle landing facility. As far as Kennedy is concerned, it's a great runway, a runway in perfect condition, equal to the longest available in the United States.
There is a risk in the takeoff. There is a risk during the flight of running out of fuel or other mechanical failure in an experimental aircraft.
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.
Whereas my falling in the Coral Sea almost killed me -- because that was in a thunderstorm in a ruptured balloon -- the most dangerous thing in the world,
Today's forecast shows good winds until Thursday -- but then there are possible headwinds to slow us up when we reach the English Channel,
I want to make this the longest flight by any type of aircraft.
I'm not confident of success because of what I'm trying to do ... We calculate that I will be able to complete the flight and have a success, but it will be very close.
I'm feeling good, healthy, but with the usual concern,
I started mountain climbing with the troop in Southern California when I was 12. I thought I'd do it indefinitely, but then I found other challenges.
Takeoff was a bit scary, to say the least. I had to use most of the runway to get off the ground. This was particularly hairy, as I couldn't have aborted even if I had wanted to.
Takeoff was a bit scary, to say the least.
It will be very close. I'm stretching the limits of the airplane.