Global Flyer takes off on bid for world record flight
09.02.06
Millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett successfully took off from Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre yesterday, starting his attempt to fly further than any aircraft in history. He is aiming to fly 26,084 miles non-stop - one and a quarter times around the world.
The 61-year-old looked calm as he squeezed into the tiny 7ft cockpit of the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, in which he flew solo round the world last year. The plane is carrying more than 18,000lb of fuel, almost six times its own weight when empty, and take-off is the most dangerous part of the challenge.
If all goes to plan, Fossett is expected to end his 80-hour journey at Kent International Airport on Saturday.
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