REAL TIME UPDATE(s) 1957-2359 EST-02.28.05, Final Update 0001, 03.01.05: Steve Fossett lifted off on his SOLO, around the world adventure at 18:47:10 CST (00:47:10 UTC), Monday, February 28th... after a delay of several hours were required to wait for calmer winds. The aircraft took off at a weight of 22,100lbs - fuel accounts for 18,100lbs of this, to enable the aircraft to circumnavigate the globe non-stop.

Fossett, already the the first person to circumnavigate the world (solo) in a balloon, started his journey in the Burt Rutan designed GlobalFlyer as the day came to an end. Crosswinds, much stronger than forecast, kept him grounded for several hours as he waited for calmer conditions. His planned sojourn will take him NorthEast, toward Chicago, and on to Detroit and Canada before venturing out across the Atlantic later this evening. 

This could be a 'first' for the aviation record books. While Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager went around the world, non-stop and on one tank of go-juice, in 1986, a successful flight will make this the first time that such a feat has been accomplished by a solo pilot. The 1986 flight was also undertaken by a Burt Rutan design, something of a grandfather to GlobalFlyer, named "Voyager."

In addition to attempting the solo record, Fossett stands an excellent chance at breaking the record for the longest flight ever made by a jet aircraft (Voyager was powered by two piston engines), which is only about 12,000nm... a tad more than half the distance GlobalFlyer will need to travel to make it back to his starting point in Salina, Kansas. The published route will take him over Africa, the Middle East, India, China and the Pacific Ocean -- with a last minute detour near Algeria that will allow for some welcome fuel savings. 

Kevin Stass, Mission Control Director, commented that, "This aircraft had never taken off with such a high fuel load so this was one of the most dangerous challenges of the record attempt. Everyone at Mission Control is really pleased that Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer has successfully accomplished take off from Salina Airport on its journey around the world which will cover almost 20,000nms and span four continents."

Built by Scaled Composites, the aircraft is a single pilot, single engine turbofan aircraft designed for non-stop global circumnavigation. Scaled used computer aided aerodynamics to design the aircraft. The structure of the plane is entirely made from composite material and will be ultra light. The aircraft will fly at 45,000ft and travel 40,000 km at speeds in excess of 250 knots (285 mph, 440 kph). The aircraft will fly 75% further than the range record for jet-powered planes.

GlobalFlyer Mission Control claims that 8000 well-wishers gathered to wish him a safe journey as the fuel-laden aircraft made a nerve-racking takeoff off Salina's 12,300 foot runway, as the 23,000 mile record flight got started. The trip should bring him back to Salina, as early as Thursday, with most of the 18,000+ pounds of fuel long-gone by the time he attempts his scheduled return to Earth. 

When last we updated this story, GlobalFlyer was sitting pretty at nearly 38,000 feet and making over 311 knots as it headed into Canadian airspace... Yup, he's booking! Go for it, Steve!

We'll keep you updated, as appropriate.

FMI: www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com