Solo Record Plane Set For Launch

[hiro2002]

http://www.solarmetrics.com/Public/Portal/content/Website/Pages/VAGFLive.html<br /><br />Does they use the prevailing westerlies?<br /><br />I am envy that Britain has them.<br />Are there such a powerful challenger in Japan?<br />

 

[redgryphon]

He's crossed the coast and is now flying over California. Distance to Salina 981 nm (1129 miles). A bit under 5 hours flying time at current speeds. <br /><br />Any ideas on how long it will take him to descend from FL450?

 

[Leovinus]

I can't get to the web site. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[redgryphon]

Thanks s_g. I remember reading that Fossett holds the record for the longest glide, so I'm sure he knows what he's doing! <br /><br />Edit: Update from the site:<br /><br />Here's our best estimate of where he will be when - all times are in UTC. This is still tentative, and of course subject to Steve's fuel and stamina holding out. Bear in mind that Steve will not descend from 45,000 feet until around 300 miles from Salina - you'll just have to watch out for that unique single condensation trail!<br /><br />Catalina Island @ 13:21 UTC (in the dark)<br />Los Angeles, CA (South of) @ 13:36 UTC (in the dark)<br />Kingman, AZ (North of) @ 14:32 UTC<br />Farmington, NM @ 15:53 UTC<br />Garden City, KS @ 17:56 UTC<br />Salina, KS @ 18:53 UTC (13:53 local time) <br /><br />The latest data I have show him over Arizona, 937 miles from Salina

 

[redgryphon]

Now leaving Arizona, 650 miles to Salina

 

[holmec]

Chase planes intercepted. All well, level flight. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[redgryphon]

Now over Colorado with less than 10 degrees of Longitude to cover. 500 miles to go.

 

[claywoman]

Tracking won't work but I got this off the site...<br /><br />Mission Status: 16:20 UTC. 63:33 hours into the flight, Steve and the Global Flyer crossed the New Mexico/Colorado Border near Pagosa Springs, CO in the San Juan Mountains. Steve is now only one state away from landing!<br /><br />Towns and Cities Steve should overfly:<br /><br />Many of you are asking where you can see the GlobalFlyer. Here's our best estimate of where he will be when - all times are in UTC, which is EST +5 hours, CST +6 hours and PST +8 hours. This is still tentative, and of course subject to Steve's fuel and stamina holding out. Bear in mind that Steve will not descend from 45,000 feet until around 300 miles from Salina - you'll just have to watch out for that unique single condensation trail!

 

[redgryphon]

400 miles now. It looks like Fossett has started to descend a little. Now at 42,203ft

 

[redgryphon]

347 miles out, altitude 38,483 ft

 

[redgryphon]

Latest I've managed to sqeeze out of the overwhelmed site...<br />290 miles to Salina; altitude 35,155 ft; speed 182 knots.<br />About 50 miles to the Kansas border

 

[redgryphon]

Now flying over Kansas.<br /><br />246 miles to Salina, altitude 32,364 ft. Speed 171 knots

 

[redgryphon]

Under 200 miles to go, Fossett below 30,000 ft.

 

[redgryphon]

Under 100 miles to go. Altitude 21,594 ft.<br /><br />Does the Globalflyer have to use parachutes to descend, or is it optional? When is Steve likely to deploy them? I haven't seen any metion of them yet on the website.

 

[redgryphon]

Rutan being interviewed on CNN right now

 

[redgryphon]

Latest I have has Steve 37 miles out, at 11,000 ft and doing 92 knots.<br />

 

[redgryphon]

Alt 7,500 ft, heading 305*

 

[redgryphon]

No parachutes yet. Heading is changing rapidly, so I guess he's circling.

 

[redgryphon]

Yeah, refreshing like crazy. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <br /><br />About 7100 feet now.

 

[redgryphon]

No flyover. <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /><br />About 12 miles out, according to CNN <br /><br />5,200 ft

 

[redgryphon]

Here he comes!

 

[redgryphon]

Yeah, he really floated for a long time. I was holding my breath!

 

[holmec]

Another victory for:<br />Steve Fossett<br />Virgin - Richard Branson<br />and Scaled Composites - Rutan <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[rocketwatcher2001]

That is awesome!!!!!<br /><br />AWESOME! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[holmec]

Steve came out of the plane looking great. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>