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Encyclopedia > Steve Fossett
Steve Fossett
Born James Stephen Fossett
April 22, 1944(1944-04-22)
Jackson, Tennessee
Died Missing September 3, 2007
Declared legally dead
February 15, 2008 (aged 63)[1]
Nationality American
Known for Aviator, sailor and adventurer

James Stephen Fossett (April 22, 1944 – missing September 3, 2007, declared legally dead February 15, 2008[1][2]) was an American aviator, sailor, and adventurer who became 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. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1246x1800, 499 KB) Summary Photographer: Mary Frances Howard Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... is the 112th day of the year (113th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jackson is a city in Madison County, Tennessee, United States. ... is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) will be a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (common) era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Aviator (disambiguation). ... This article is about maritime crew. ... Even Soldiers of Fortune have to sing! 1958 record album An adventurer or adventuress is a term that usually takes one of three meanings: One whose travels are unusual and often exotic, though not so unique as to qualify as exploration. ... is the 112th day of the year (113th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Death in absentia is a legal term describing the status of a person who has been declared legally dead. ... is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) will be a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (common) era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Aviator (disambiguation). ... This article is about maritime crew. ... Even Soldiers of Fortune have to sing! 1958 record album An adventurer or adventuress is a term that usually takes one of three meanings: One whose travels are unusual and often exotic, though not so unique as to qualify as exploration. ... A world record is the best performance in a certain discipline, usually a sports event. ... “Round the world” redirects here. ... This article is about hot air balloons themselves. ... Airplane and Aeroplane redirect here. ...


A fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and The Explorers Club, Fossett set 116 records in five different sports, 60 of which still stand.[3] The Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 with the name Geographical Society of London for the advancement of geographical science, under the patronage of King William IV. It absorbed the Association for Promoting the Discovery of the Interior Parts of Africa (founded by Sir Joseph... -1...


Fossett was reported missing after the plane he was flying over the Nevada desert failed to return.[4] Despite more than one month of searches by the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and others, Fossett could not be found, and the search by CAP was called off on October 2, 2007. However, privately-funded and directed search efforts continued. Steve Fossett is a businessman and pilot who set several aviation records during his lifetime. ... The Great Basin is a large, arid region of the western United States, commonly defined as the contiguous watershed region, roughly between the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada, that has no natural outlet to the sea. ... Search and Rescue (acronym SAR) is an operation mounted by emergency services, often well-trained volunteers, to find someone believed to be in distress, lost, sick or injured either in a remote or difficult to access area, such as mountains, desert or forest (Wilderness search and rescue), or at sea... Civil Air Patrol seal The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). ... is the 275th day of the year (276th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...


On November 2, 2007, Peggy Fossett and Dick Rutan accepted the Spread Wings Award in Steve Fossett's behalf at the 2007 Spreading Wings Gala, Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, Denver, Colorado.[5] is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... The Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum(WOR) is located on the former grounds of Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado. ... Denver redirects here. ...


On November 26, 2007, Fossett's wife requested that Fossett be declared legally dead.[6] The petition was granted on February 15, 2008.[1] is the 330th day of the year (331st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Death in absentia describes a legal finding of death if a person has been missing for more than a certain period of time. ... is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) will be a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (common) era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ...

Contents

Early years

Fossett was born in Jackson, Tennessee. His family later moved to Garden Grove, California.[3] Jackson is a city in Madison County, Tennessee, United States. ... Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove Garden Grove is a city centrally located in northern Orange County, California, United States. ...


Fossett's interest in adventure began early. As a Boy Scout, he grew up climbing the mountains of California, beginning with the San Jacinto Mountains.[7] "When I was 12 years old I climbed my first mountain, and I just kept going, taking on more diverse and grander projects."[8] Fossett said that he did not have a natural gift for athletics or team sports, so he focused on activities that required persistence and endurance.[9] His father, an Eagle Scout, encouraged Fossett to pursue these types of adventures and encouraged him to become involved with the Boy Scouts early.[7] At age 13,[7] Fossett also earned the Boy Scouts' highest rank of Eagle Scout.[10] Fossett said in 2006 that Scouting was the most important activity of his youth.[7] Polish Boy Scouts fighting in the Warsaw Uprising Boy Scouts originally denoted the organization that developed and rapidly grew up during 1908 in the wake of the publication by Lord Robert Baden-Powell of his book Scouting for Boys. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... North slope of San Jacinto Peak San Jacinto Mountains The San Jacinto Mountains are short mountain range east of Los Angeles in southern California in the United States. ... An Eagle Scout is a Scout with the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). ... This article is about the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts/Girl Guides organizations. ...


In college at Stanford University, Fossett was already known as an adventurer; his Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity brothers convinced him to swim to Alcatraz and raise a banner that read "Beat Cal" on the wall of the prison, closed two years previously.[9] Fossett held various leadership positions at Stanford, including serving in student government and serving as President of a few clubs.[7] In 1966, Fossett graduated from Stanford with a degree in economics.[11] After graduation, Fossett spent the summer in Europe climbing mountains and swimming the Dardanelles.[9] Stanford redirects here. ... A student society or student organization is an organization, operated by students at a university, whose membership normally consists only of students. ... Alcatraz Island is located in the middle of San Francisco Bay in California. ... The University of California, Berkeley (also known as Cal, UC Berkeley, UCB, or simply Berkeley) is a prestigious, public, coeducational university situated in the foothills of Berkeley, California to the east of San Francisco Bay, overlooking the Golden Gate and its bridge. ... A bachelors degree is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three, four, or in some cases and countries, five or six years. ... Face-to-face trading interactions on the New York Stock Exchange trading floor. ... Map of the Dardanelles The Dardanelles (Turkish: Çanakkale Boğazı, Greek: Δαρδανέλλια, Dardanellia), formerly known as the Hellespont (Greek: Eλλήσποντος, Hellespontos), is a narrow strait in northwestern Turkey connecting the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara. ...


Business career

In 1968, Fossett received an MBA from the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, where Fossett was a longtime member of the Board of Trustees.[12] Fossett's first job out of business school was with IBM; he then served as a consultant for Deloitte and Touche, and later accepted a job with Marshall Field's. Fossett later said, "For the first five years of my business career, I was distracted by being in computer systems, and then I became interested in financial markets. That's where I thrived."[7] MBA redirects here. ... The John M. Olin Business School is one of seven academic schools at Washington University in St. ... Washington University redirects here. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Missouri Coordinates: , Country State County Independent City Government  - Mayor Francis G. Slay (D) Area  - City  66. ... For other uses, see IBM (disambiguation) and Big Blue. ... Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is one of the Big Four auditors. ... For other uses, see Marshall Fields (disambiguation). ... This article is about the machine. ...


Fossett then became a successful commodities salesman in Chicago, first for Merrill Lynch in 1973, where he proved a highly successful producer of commission revenue for himself and that firm. He began working in 1976 for Drexel Burnham, which provided him with a membership on the Chicago Board of Trade and permitted him to market the services of the firm from a phone on the floor of that exchange. In 1980, Fossett began the process that eventually produced his enduring prosperity: renting exchange memberships to would-be floor traders, first on the Chicago Board Options Exchange.[9][13] A commodity broker is, strictly speaking, a person who is a member of a commodity exchange and who, in addition to buying and selling for her own account, executes orders to buy or sell futures contracts for the clients of member firms. ... Nickname: Motto: Urbs in Horto (Latin: City in a Garden), I Will Location in the Chicago metro area and Illinois Coordinates: , Country State Counties Cook, DuPage Settled 1770s Incorporated March 4, 1837 Government  - Mayor Richard M. Daley (D) Area  - City 234. ... Merrill Lynch & Co. ... Drexel Burnham Lambert was one of the most profitable Wall Street investment banking firms during the late 1970s and most of the 1980s. ... The Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) NYSE: BOT, established in 1848, is the worlds oldest futures and options exchange. ... The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), located at 400 South LaSalle Street in Chicago, is one of the worlds largest options exchanges with an annual trade of over 450 million options contracts, covering more than 1200 companies, 50 stock indexes, and 50 exchange-traded funds (ETFs). ...


After 15 years of working for other companies,[7] Fossett founded his own firms, Marathon Securities and Lakota Trading, from which he made millions renting exchange memberships.[3][14][11] He founded Lakota Trading for that purpose in 1980.[15] In the early 1980s,[7] he founded Marathon Securities and extended that successful formula to memberships on the New York stock exchanges. He earned millions renting floor trading privileges (exchange memberships) to hopeful new floor traders, who would also pay clearing fees to Fossett's clearing firms in proportion to the trading activity of those renting the memberships. As of 1997, the trading volume of its rented memberships was larger than any other clearing firm on the Chicago exchange.[9] Lakota Trading replicated that same business plan on many exchanges in the United States and also in London.[7] Fossett would later use those revenues to finance his adventures.[3][14][11] Fossett said, "As a floor trader, I was very aggressive and worked hard. Those same traits help me in adventure sports."[9] This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ...


Fossett said he did not participate in any of the "interesting things" he had done in college during his time in exchange-related activities: "There was a period of time where I wasn't doing anything except working for a living. I became very frustrated with that and finally made up my mind to start getting back into things."[7] He began to take six weeks a year off to spend time on sports and eventually moved to Beaver Creek, Colorado in 1990, where for a time he ran his business from a distance.[7] Fossett later sold most of his business interests,[3][16] although he maintained an office in Chicago until 2006.[7] Beaver Creek is an unincorporated community located in Eagle County, Colorado, United States. ...


Personal life

Fossett was married to Peggy Fossett (Viehland), originally from Richmond Heights, Missouri, since 1968.[12] They had no children.[15][17] The Fossetts had homes in Beaver Creek, Colorado and Chicago and a vacation home in Carmel, California.[16][12][9] Richmond Heights is a city in St. ... Beaver Creek is an unincorporated community located in Eagle County, Colorado, United States. ... Carmel-by-the-Sea is a city located in Monterey County, California. ...


Fossett became well-known in the United Kingdom for his friendship with billionaire Richard Branson, who financed some of Fossett's adventures.[3] Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson (born 18 July 1950) is a British entrepreneur, best known for his Virgin brand of over 360 companies. ...


Records

Overview

Steve Fossett was well-known for his world record-setting adventures in balloons, sailboats, gliders, and powered aircraft. He was an aviator of exceptional breadth of experience, from his quest to become the first person to achieve a solo balloon flight around the world (finally succeeding on his sixth attempt, in 2002) to setting, with co-pilot Terry Delore, 10 of the 21 Glider Open records, including the first 2,000 km Out-and-Return, the first 1,500 km Triangle and the longest Straight Distance flights. His achievements as a jet pilot in a Cessna Citation X include records for U.S. Transcontinental, Australia Transcontinental, and Round-the-World westbound non-supersonic flights.[18] Prior to Fossett's aviation records, no pilot had held world records in more than one class of aircraft; Fossett holds them in four classes.[7] A hot air balloon is prepared for flight by inflation of the envelope with propane burners. ... The Cessna Citation X is a medium-sized business jet aircraft designed to fly at high subsonic speeds. ...


In 2005, Fossett made the first solo nonstop and unrefueled circumnavigation of the world in 67 hours in the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, a single engine jet aircraft. The Scaled Composites Model 311 Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer (FAA: N277SF), also known as the Capricorn is an aircraft designed by Burt Rutan which Steve Fossett flew in a non-stop solo trip around the world in 67 hours from 00:47 March 1, 2005 UTC until March 3, 2005. ...


In 2006, he again circumnavigated the globe nonstop and unrefueled in 76 hours, 45 minutes in the GlobalFlyer, setting the record for the longest flight by any aircraft in history[3] with a distance of 26,389 statute miles (42,469 km).


He set 93 aviation world records ratified by Fédération Aéronautique Internationale,[19] plus 23 sailing world records ratified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council. Fédération Aéronautique Internationale The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) is a standard setting and record-keeping body for aeronautics and astronautics. ... The World Sailing Speed Record Council, founded in 1972, is the body authorized by the International Sailing Federation (formerly International Yacht Racing Union) to confirm speed records of sailing crafts (boats or sailboards) on water (not on ice or land). ...


Balloon pilot

On February 21, 1995, Fossett landed in Leader, Saskatchewan, Canada, after taking off from South Korea, becoming the first person to make a solo flight across the Pacific Ocean in a balloon.[20] is the 52nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the Canadian province. ... A hot air balloon is prepared for flight by inflation of the envelope with propane burners. ...


In 2002, he became the first person to fly around the world alone, nonstop, in a balloon. He launched the 10-story high balloon Spirit of Freedom from Northam, Western Australia, on June 19, 2002 and returned to Australia on July 3, 2002, subsequently landing in Queensland, Australia. Duration and distance of this solo balloon flight was 13 days, 8 hours, 33 minutes (14 days 19 hours 50 minutes to landing), 20,626.48 statute miles (33,195.10 km).[20] The balloon dragged him along the ground for 20 minutes at the end of the flight. The control center for the mission was located in St. Louis, Missouri. Fossett's top speed during the flight was 186 miles per hour over the Indian Ocean. Only the capsule survived the landing; it was taken to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, where it was to be displayed next to Charles Lindbergh's plane Spirit of St. Louis.[21] The trip set a number of records for ballooning: Fastest (200 miles per hour/322 km, breaking his own previous record of 166 miles per hour/270 km), Fastest Around the World (13.5 days), Longest Distance Flown Solo in a Balloon (20,482.26 miles), and 24-Hour Balloon Distance (3,186.80 miles on July 1).[22] Northam (Latitude 31° 38 0 S, Longitude 116° 40 0 E) is a town in Western Australia, birthplace of Shirley Strickland, Frederick Henry Piesse and Carmen Lawrence. ... Slogan or Nickname: Wildflower State or the Golden State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 15  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2005-06)  - Product ($m)  $107,910 (4th)  - Product per capita  $53,134/person... is the 170th day of the year (171st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Motto(s): Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Anna Bligh (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd... Nickname: Location in the state of Missouri Coordinates: , Country State County Independent City Government  - Mayor Francis G. Slay (D) Area  - City  66. ... The Smithsonian Institution Building or Castle on the National Mall serves as the Institutions headquarters. ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... Charles Augustus Lindbergh (4 February 1902 – 26 August 1974), known as Lucky Lindy and The Lone Eagle, was an American pilot famous for the first solo, non-stop flight across the Atlantic, from Roosevelt Field, Long Island to Paris in 1927 in the Spirit of St. ... For other uses, see The Spirit of St. ... is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...


While Fossett had financed five previous tries himself, his successful record-setting flight was sponsored by Bud Light.[21] Fossett said that he hoped his flight would inspire others to achieve their personal goals in their own lives.[21] Anheuser_Busch (NYSE: BUD), the worlds third largest brewing company in volume after InBev and SABMiller, is based in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA. The company brews 35 different beers and malt liquors. ...


In the end, Fossett actually made money on all his balloon flights; he bought a contingency insurance policy for $500,000 that would pay him $3 million if he succeeded in the flight, and along with sponsorship, that payout meant that in the end, Fossett did not have to spend any of his money other than for initial expenses.[7]


Sailor

Fossett was one of the world's most accomplished sailors. Speed sailing was his speciality and from 1993 to 2004, he dominated the record sheets, setting 23 official world records and nine distance race records. He is recognized by the World Sailing Speed Record Council as "the world's most accomplished speed sailor."[3] A sailor is a member of the crew of a ship or boat. ...


On the maxi-catamaran Cheyenne (formerly named PlayStation), Fossett twice set the prestigious 24 Hour Record of Sailing. In October 2001, Fossett and his crew set a transatlantic record of 4 days 17 hours, shattering the previous record by 43 hours 35 minutes — an increase in average speed of nearly seven knots.


In early 2004, Fossett, as skipper, set the world record for fastest circumnavigation of the world (58 days, 9 hours) in Cheyenne with a crew of 13. Both the Transatlantic and Round the World records have been superseded by Bruno Peyron on Orange II. As of 1997, Fossett held the world record for crossing the Pacific Ocean in his 125-foot sailboat, the PlayStation, which he accomplished on his fourth try.[9][16] Bruno Peyron is a yachtsman who, along with his crew on the catamaran Orange II, broke the outright round-the-world sailing record in March 2005. ...


Airship pilot

Fossett set the Absolute World Speed Record for airships on October 27, 2004. The new record for fastest flight was accomplished with a Zeppelin NT, at a recorded average speed of 62.2 knots (115.0 km/h, 71.5 mph.) The previous record was 50.1 knots (92.8 km/h, 57.7 mph) set in 2001 in a Virgin airship. Fossett was one of only 17 pilots licensed to fly the Zeppelin in the world, as of 2006.[7] is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A flying Zeppelin NT Zeppelin NT (Neue Technologie, German for new technology) is an airship type that has been manufactured since the 1990s by the German company Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH (ZLT) in Friedrichshafen. ... A knot is a unit of speed abbreviated kt or kn. ...


Fixed-wing aircraft pilot

Global Flyer

Fossett at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility seated in the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer cockpit
Fossett at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility seated in the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer cockpit

Fossett made the first solo non-stop fixed-wing aircraft flight around the world between February 28, 2005 and March 3, 2005. He took off from Salina, Kansas and flew eastbound, with the prevailing winds, returning to Salina after 67 hours, 1 minute, 10 seconds, without refueling or making intermediate landings. His average speed of 342.2 mph (550.7 km/h) was also the absolute world record for "speed around the world, non-stop and non-refueled." His aircraft, the Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer, had a carbon fiber reinforced plastic airframe, with a single Williams FJ44 turbofan engine. It was designed and built by Burt Rutan and his company, Scaled Composites, for long-distance solo flight. The fuel fraction, the weight of the fuel divided by the weight of the aircraft at take-off, was 83 percent.[23][24][25] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 532 pixelsFull resolution (3008 × 2000 pixel, file size: 409 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) original description: At NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility, Steve Fossett, seated in the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer cockpit, checks visibility and head space. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 532 pixelsFull resolution (3008 × 2000 pixel, file size: 409 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) original description: At NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility, Steve Fossett, seated in the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer cockpit, checks visibility and head space. ... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (IPA [ˈnæsÉ™]) is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nations public space program. ... Merritt Island and Kennedy Space Center (shown in white). ... The Scaled Composites Model 311 Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer (FAA: N277SF), also known as the Capricorn is an aircraft designed by Burt Rutan which Steve Fossett flew in a non-stop solo trip around the world in 67 hours from 00:47 March 1, 2005 UTC until March 3, 2005. ... is the 59th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 62nd day of the year (63rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Salina is a city in and the county seat of Saline County, Kansas, United States. ... The Scaled Composites Model 311 Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer is an aircraft designed by Burt Rutan which Steve Fossett flew in a non-stop solo trip around the world from February 28, 2005 until March 3, 2005. ... Tail of a RC helicopter, made of CFRP Carbon fiber reinforced plastic or (CFRP or CRP), is a very strong, light and expensive composite material or fiber reinforced plastic. ... The Williams FJ44 is a small 2 spool turbofan produced by Williams International/Rolls-Royce for the light business jet market. ... Schematic diagram of high-bypass turbofan engine CFM56-3 turbofan, lower half, side view. ... Elbert Leander Burt Rutan (born June 17, 1943 in Estacada, Oregon) is an American aerospace engineer noted for his originality in designing light, strong, unusual-looking, energy-efficient aircraft. ... Scaled Composites (often abbreviated as Scaled), formerly the Rutan Aircraft Factory, is located at the Mojave Spaceport, Mojave, California, United States and is headed by aircraft designer Burt Rutan. ... The GlobalFlyer had a fuel fraction near 85% — it could carry five times its weight in fuel. ...


On February 11, 2006, Fossett set the absolute world record for "distance without landing" by flying from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, around the world eastbound, then upon returning to Florida continuing across the Atlantic a second time to land in Bournemouth, England. The official distance was 25,766 statute miles (41,467 km) and the duration was 76 hours 43 minutes. is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Merritt Island and Kennedy Space Center (shown in white). ... The Atlantic Ocean is Earths second-largest ocean, covering approximately one_fifth of its surface. ... , Bournemouth ( ) is a large town and tourist resort, situated on the south coast of England. ...


The next month, Fossett made a third flight around the world in order to break the absolute record for "Distance over a closed circuit without landing" (with takeoff and landing at the same airport). He took off from Salina, Kansas on March 14, 2006 and returned on March 17, 2006 after flying 25,262 statute miles (40,655 km). is the 73rd day of the year (74th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


There are only seven absolute world records for fixed-wing aircraft recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale and Fossett broke three of them in the Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer.[26] All three records were previously held by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager from their flight in the Voyager in 1986. Fossett has contributed the Global Flyer to the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection.[27] It is on display at the Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum. Fossett flew the plane to the Center and taxied the plane to the front door.[7] Fédération Aéronautique Internationale The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) is a standard setting and record-keeping body for aeronautics and astronautics. ... Richard “Dick” Rutan (born July 1, 1938) is an aviator who is most famous for flying the Voyager aircraft around the world non-stop with the assistance of Jeana Yeager. ... Jeana Yeager (born May 18, 1952 in Fort Worth, Texas) is an aviator, most famous for flying with Dick Rutan on a non-stop, non-refueled flight around the world in the Voyager aircraft in 1986 from December 14 to December 23. ... Voyager returning from its flight The Scaled Composites Model 76 Voyager aircraft was the first to fly around the world without stopping or refueling. ... The Smithsonian Institution Building or Castle on the National Mall serves as the Institutions headquarters. ... The Interior of the Udvar-Hazy Center The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM)s annex at Washington Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Virginia. ... Interior of museum, with Gemini capsule, Soviet rockets, and Wright Flyer visible The National Air and Space Museum (NASM) of the United States Smithsonian Institution maintains the largest collection of aircraft and spacecraft in the world. ...


Transcontinental aircraft records

Fossett set two U.S. transcontinental fixed-wing aircraft records in the same day. On February 5, 2003, he flew his Cessna Citation X jet from San Diego, California to Charleston, South Carolina in 2 hours, 56 minutes, 20 seconds, at an average speed of 726.83 mph (1169.73 km/h) to smash the transcontinental record for non-supersonic jets. is the 36th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Cessna Citation X is a medium-sized business jet aircraft designed to fly at high subsonic speeds. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Americas Finest City Location Location of San Diego within San Diego County Coordinates , Government County San Diego Mayor City Attorney         City Council District One District Two District Three District Four District Five District Six District Seven District Eight Jerry Sanders (R) Michael Aguirre Scott Peters Kevin... Nickname: Motto: Aedes Mores Juraque Curat (She cares for her temples, customs, and rights) Location of Charleston in South Carolina. ...


He returned to San Diego, then flew the same course as co-pilot for fellow adventurer Joe Ritchie in Ritchie's turboprop Piaggio Avanti. Their time was 3 hours, 51 minutes, 52 seconds, an average speed of 546.44 mph (879.46 km/h), which broke the previous turboprop transcontinental record held by Chuck Yeager and Renald Davenport. San Diego redirects here. ... Joe Ritchie Joseph Ritchie is a commodities and options trader founder of Chicago Research and Trading, and a legend in the options market. ... A schematic diagram showing the operation of a turboprop engine. ... The Piaggio P.180 Avanti is twin engine business aircraft made by Piaggio Aero. ... Charles Elwood Chuck Yeager (born February 13, 1923) is a retired Brigadier General in the United States Air Force and a noted test pilot. ...


Fossett also set the east-to-west transcontinental record for non-supersonic fixed-wing aircraft on September 17, 2000. He flew from Jacksonville, Florida to San Diego, California in 3 hours, 29 minutes, at an average speed of 591.96 mph (952.67 km/h). is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... The Jacksonville skyline and the Acosta Bridge. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Americas Finest City Location Location of San Diego within San Diego County Coordinates , Government County San Diego Mayor City Attorney         City Council District One District Two District Three District Four District Five District Six District Seven District Eight Jerry Sanders (R) Michael Aguirre Scott Peters Kevin...


First trans-Atlantic flight enactment

On July 2, 2005, Fossett and co-pilot Mark Rebholz re-created the first nonstop crossing of the Atlantic which was made by the British team of John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown in June 1919 in a Vickers Vimy biplane. Their flight from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada to Clifden, Ireland in the open cockpit Vickers Vimy replica took 18 hours 25 minutes with 13 hours flown in instrument flight conditions. Because there was no airport in Clifden, Fossett and Rebholz landed on the 8th fairway of the Connemarra Golf Course.[7] is the 183rd day of the year (184th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Statue of Alcock and Brown at London Heathrow Airport. ... The Vickers Vimy was a British heavy bomber aircraft of the World War I era. ... Nickname: Motto: Avancez (Go forward) Coordinates: , Country Province Established August 5, 1583 by Royal Charter of Queen Elizabeth I Government  - City Mayor Andy Wells  - Governing body St. ... Clifden (in Irish, An Clochán meaning bee-hive cell) is a town on the coast of County Galway, Ireland and being Connemaras largest town, it is often referred to as the Capital of Connemara. It is located on the Owenglin River where it flows into Clifden Bay. ...


Glider records

The team of Steve Fossett and Terry Delore (NZL) set ten official world records in gliders while flying in three major locations: New Zealand, Argentina and Nevada, United States. An asterisk (*) indicates records subsequently broken by other pilots.

Fossett and co-pilot Einar Enevoldson flew a glider into the stratosphere on August 29, 2006. The flight set the Absolute Altitude Record for gliders at 50,727 feet (15,460 m).[37] Since the glider cockpit was unpressurized, the pilots wore full pressure suits (similar to space suits) so that they would be able to fly to altitudes above 45,000 feet. Fossett and Enevoldson had made previous attempts in three countries over a period of five years before finally succeeding with this record flight. This endeavor is known as the Perlan Project. is the 338th day of the year (339th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 211th day of the year (212th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 346th day of the year (347th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Einar Enevoldson Einar K. Enevoldson was a civilian research pilot for NASAs Hugh L. Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif. ... Atmosphere diagram showing stratosphere. ... is the 241st day of the year (242nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with List of altitude records reached by different aircraft types. ... Gordon Cooper in a helmet and pressure suit, A pressure suit is a pressurized suit worn by high-altitude pilots who may fly so high that even breathing pure oxygen at surrounding pressure would not provide enough oxygen for them to function: see hypoxia. ... The Perlan Project is a current research project to fly a sailplane to an altitude of 100,000 feet (30,480 meters). ...


Cross-country skiing

As a young adventurer, Fossett was one of the first participants in the Worldloppet, a series of cross country ski marathons around the world. While he had little experience as a skier, he was in the first group of 'citizen athletes' to participate in the series debut in 1979. And in 1980, he became the eighth skier to complete all 10 of the long distance races, earning a Worldloppet medallion. He has also set cross-country skiing records in Colorado, setting an Aspen to Vail record of 59 hr, 53 min, 30 sec in February 1998, and an Aspen to Eagle record of 12 hr, 29 min in February 2001.[7] The Worldloppet Ski Federation is a federation of long distance cross-country skiing events. ... Cross-Country trails are often less crowded than Alpine ski slopes. ... For other uses, see Aspen (disambiguation). ... There are also Vail, Arizona and Vail, Iowa. ... Eagle is a town located in Eagle County, Colorado. ...


Mountain climbing

Fossett was a lifelong mountain climber and had climbed the highest peaks on six of the seven continents.[9][14] In the 1980s, he became friends with Patrick Morrow, who was attempting to climb the highest peaks on all seven continents for the "Seven Summits" world record (which Morrow did achieve in 1985). Fossett accompanied Morrow for his last three peaks, including Vinson Massif in Antarctica, Carstensz Pyramid in Oceania, and Elbrus in Europe.[7] While Fossett went on to climb almost all of the Seven Summits peaks himself, he declined to climb Mount Everest in 1992 due to asthma.[7] He also later returned to Antarctica to climb again. Mountaineering is an umbrella term that can variously be used to describe the actions of climbing, hillwalking and scrambling. ... Patrick Allan Morrow, CM, (born October 18, 1952 in Invermere, British Columbia) is a Canadian photographer and mountain climber who was first person in the world to have climbed the highest peaks of all seven continents: Mount McKinley in North America [1977] , Aconcagua in South America [1981], Mount Everest in... The Seven Summits on an Elevation World Map. ... Vinson Massif is the highest mountain of Antarctica, located about 1,200 km (750 mi) from the South Pole. ... Carstensz Pyramid is the traditional name among mountaineers for Puncak Jaya, the highest mountain in Oceania. ... For other uses, see Oceania (disambiguation). ... For the Soviet-era computer, see Elbrus (computer). ... Everest redirects here. ...


Other accomplishments

Fossett competed in and completed premier endurance sports events, including the 1,165 mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, in which he finished 47th on his second try in 1992 after training for five years. He became the 270th person to swim across the English Channel on his fourth try in September 1985 with a time of 22 hours, 15 minutes.[20][9][7] Although Fossett said he was not a good enough swimmer "to make the varsity swim team", he found that he could swim for long periods.[7] Fossett has run in the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii[12] (finishing in 1996 in 15:53:10),[38] the Boston Marathon, and the Leadville Trail 100, a 100-mile Colorado ultramarathon which involves running up elevations of more than 14,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains.[9][11] Aliy Zirkles dog team on Anchorages Fourth Avenue at the start of the 2003 Iditarod. ... For the Thoroughbred racehorse of the same name, see English Channel (horse). ... Swimmers cross the waters of Kailua-Kona Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii in the first leg of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... The 100th running of the Boston Marathon, 1996 The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon sporting event hosted by the city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Patriots Day, the third Monday of April. ... The Leadville Trail 100 Ultramarathon (aka The Race Across The Sky or the LT100), first run in 1983, is an ultramarathon held annually on trails and dirt roads at high altitude around Leadville, Colorado, through the heart of the Rocky Mountains. ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Largest metro area Denver-Aurora Metro Area Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... An ultramarathon is any running event longer than the traditional marathon length of 42. ... For individual mountains named Rocky Mountain, see Rocky Mountain (disambiguation). ...


Fossett had raced cars in the mid-1970s and later returned to the sport in the 1990s.[7] He competed in the 24 hours of Le Mans road race twice, in 1993 and in 1996,[13][14] along with the Paris to Dakar Rally.[9] The 24 Hours of Le Mans (24 Heures du Mans) is the worlds most famous sports car endurance race, held annually at Circuit de la Sarthe near Le Mans, France, in the French Sarthe département. ... For information about the 2007 Dakar Rally, see 2007 Dakar Rally. ...


Previous attempts at records

Fossett tried six times over seven years for the first solo balloon circumnavigation. His fifth attempt cost him $1.25 million of his own money; his sixth and successful attempt was commercially sponsored.[21] One unsuccessful balloon flight ended when Fossett plummeted five miles into the Coral Sea off Australia.[27] Two of the attempts were launched from Busch Stadium in St. Louis, and Washington University in St. Louis served as control center for four of the six flights, including the record-breaking one.[12] Map of the Coral Sea Islands A political map of the South Pacific. ... Busch Stadium (also referred to informally as New Busch Stadium or Busch Stadium III) is the new home for the St. ... The Gateway Arch, shown here behind the Old Courthouse, is the most recognizable part of the St. ...


In 1998, one of the unsuccessful attempts at the ballooning record ended with a five-mile plummet into the Coral Sea off the coast of Australia that nearly killed Fossett; he waited 72 hours to be rescued, at a cost of $500,000.[12][39][40] The first attempt began in the Black Hills of South Dakota and ended in New Brunswick 1800 miles later. The second attempt, launched from Busch Stadium, cost $300,000 and lasted 9,600 miles before being downed halfway in a tree in India; the trip set records at the time for duration and distance of flight (with Fossett doubling his own previous record) and was called Solo Spirit after Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis.[12][9] Fossett slept an average of two hours a night for the six-day journey, conducted in below-zero temperatures. After taking too much fuel to cross the Atlantic Ocean and circling Libya for 12 hours while officials decided whether or not to allow him into their airspace, Fossett did not have enough fuel to finish the flight. That year, Fossett flew farther for less money than better-financed expeditions (including one supported by Richard Branson) in part due to his ability to fly in an un-pressurized capsule, a result of his heavy physical training at high altitudes.[9] The Solo Spirit capsule was put on display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum across from the Apollo 11.[9] Map of the Coral Sea Islands A political map of the South Pacific. ... Official language(s) English Capital Pierre Largest city Sioux Falls Area  Ranked 17th  - Total 77,116[1] sq mi (199,905 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 380 miles (610 km)  - % water 1. ... This article is about the Canadian province. ... For other uses, see The Spirit of St. ... This article covers the Apollo 11 mission itself. ...


After making an unscheduled landing in a plane, Fossett once walked 30 miles for help.[11]


Awards and honors

In 2002, Fossett received aviation's highest award, the Gold Medal of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) and in July 2007, he was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame.[3] He was presented at the ceremony by Dick Rutan. Fédération Aéronautique Internationale The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) is a standard setting and record-keeping body for aeronautics and astronautics. ... The National Aviation Hall of Fame is located at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, east Dayton, Ohio. ... Richard “Dick” Rutan (born July 1, 1938) is an aviator who is most famous for flying the Voyager aircraft around the world non-stop with the assistance of Jeana Yeager. ...


In 1997, Fossett was inducted into the Balloon and Airship Hall of Fame.[7] In February 2002, Fossett was named America's Rolex Yachtsman of the Year by the American Sailing Association at the New York Yacht Club.[16] He was the oldest recipient of the award in its 41-year history, and he was the only recipient to fly himself to the ceremony in his own plane.[16] Rolex SA is a Swiss manufacturer of mostly mechanical wristwatches and accessories renowned for their dependability, prestige, and cost (from a few thousand to more than one hundred thousand U.S. dollars). ... The American Sailing Association promotes recreational sailing in the United States of America by administering a system of sailing qualifications. ... The New York Yacht Club is a private yacht club based in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. ...


He received the Explorers Medal from the Explorers Club following his solo balloon circumnavigation. He was given the Diplôme de Montgolfier by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale in 1996. He received the Harmon Trophy, given annually "to the world's outstanding aviator and aeronaut", in 1998 and 2002. He received the Grande Médaille de l'Aéro Club de France and the British Royal Aero Club's Gold Medal in 2002. He received the Order of Magellan and the Médaille de l'Aéronautique République Française in 2003.[7] The Explorers Club is international organzation formed by the survivors of Frederick Cooks 1894 Arctic expedition. ... Fédération Aéronautique Internationale The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) is a standard setting and record-keeping body for aeronautics and astronautics. ... The Harmon Aviator Trophy The Harmon Aviatrix Trophy The Harmon Trophy is a set of three international trophies, to be awarded annually to the worlds outstanding aviator, aviatrix (female aviator), and aeronaut (balloon or dirigible). ... The Royal Aero Club is the national co-ordinating body for Air Sport in the United Kingdom. ... The Order of Magellan is an informal honor bestowed on sailors who have circumnavigated the earth. ...


Fossett has also received numerous awards related to his work with the Boy Scouts of America, where he was called a "legend" among fellow scouts.[41] In 2007, Fossett succeeded Secretary of Defense Robert Gates as president of the National Eagle Scout Association. Fossett was a longtime member of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America[10] and a former member of the World Scout Committee.[7] Fossett has received both the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award and the Silver Buffalo award.[10] He was also a member of the Order of the Arrow, the Boy Scouts' honor society.[10] For the Boy Scouting program within the BSA, see Boy Scouting (Boy Scouts of America). ... Robert Michael Gates (born September 25, 1943) is currently serving as the 22nd United States Secretary of Defense. ... The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) is an organization of men who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. ... The World Scout Committee is the executive body of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). ... The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, is a special award, awarded only to Eagle Scouts, for distinguished service in his profession or to the community for a period of at least 25 years after earning his Eagle Scout rank. ... The Silver Buffalo Award, created in 1926, is bestowed upon those adults who give truly noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth. ... The Order of the Arrow (OA) is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). ...


The Scaled Composites White Knight Two Spirit of Steve Fossett,[42] was named in Fossett's honor by his friend Richard Branson, in 2007.[43] [44] Scaled Composites White Knight Two or Eve is the first stage of Tier 1b, a two-stage to suborbital-space manned launch system. ... Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson (born 18 July 1950) is a British entrepreneur, best known for his Virgin brand of over 360 companies. ...


Disappearance and search

Further information: Disappearance of Steve Fossett

At 8:45 am, on Monday, September 3, 2007, Fossett took off in a single-engine Bellanca Super Decathlon airplane from a private airstrip known as Flying-M Ranch ( 38°36′13″N, 119°00′11″W), near