FLORIDA BASE IS STARTING POINT GLOBALFLYER SET FOR NEXT RECORD FLIGHT.Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer MOJAVE - The Mojave-built GlobalFlyer is being readied for another world record-setting flight, this time to break longest-flight records set by its Voyager predecessor in 1986 and a balloon in 1999. Virgin Atlantic Airways has signed an agreement with NASA NASA: see National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA in full National Aeronautics and Space Administration Independent U.S. to use Kennedy Space Center Kennedy Space Center (Cape Canaveral) U.S. launch site for manned space missions. [U.S. Hist.: WB, So:562] See : Astronautics in Florida as the starting point Noun 1. starting point - earliest limiting point terminus a quo commencement, get-go, offset, outset, showtime, starting time, beginning, start, kickoff, first - the time at which something is supposed to begin; "they got an early start"; "she knew from the for the flight, which is to cover 29,000 miles and end in London. No exact date has been set, but the flight is expected to take place in February. ``Launching from the Kennedy Space Center at NASA will give both pilot and aircraft the ultimate launch pad for this ultimate flight,'' said Richard Branson Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson (born 18 July 1950 in Shamley Green, Surrey, England), is a British entrepreneur, best known for his Virgin brand of over 360 , chairman of Virgin Atlantic Airways. ``We're excited to be able to partner with NASA on this attempt, as it is a perfect combination of innovation and aspiration.'' The flight will be piloted by Steve Fossett James Stephen Fossett (born April 22, 1944 - missing September 3, 2007) is an American aviator, sailor and adventurer. Fossett made his fortune in the financial services industry and is best known for many world records including five nonstop circumnavigations of the Earth: as a , who made a 20,373-mile solo nonstop flight around the world in the GlobalFlyer that concluded on March 3. The GlobalFlyer was designed by Burt Rutan 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. and built at his Scaled Composites 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. company at the Mojave Airport. The world record for a nonstop flight is held by Voyager, which was also designed by Rutan. The aircraft flew for 24,987 miles around the world in 1986. The longest flight by a balloon is held by the Breitling Orbiter Breitling Orbiter was the name of three different Rozière Balloons made by Cameron Balloons to circumnavigate the globe. The first two balloons never made it, while the third made a successful attempt in 1999. 3, which flew for 25,361 miles in 1999. During the attempt for the longest flight, Fossett is expected to pilot the aircraft to altitudes of about 45,000 feet and at speeds faster than 285 mph. During Fossett's around-the-world flight, GlobalFlyer had a mysterious loss of more than 3,000 pounds of fuel. Despite that, Fossett was able to complete the flight and still had 1,500 pounds of fuel when he landed. Engineers established that the fuel escaped through vents in the fuel tank behind the engine. Scaled Composites has since modified the aircraft. Jim Skeen, (661) 267-5743 james.skeen(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1) The GlobalFlyer, built in Mojave, is being readied for a February attempt to break longest-flight records by its Voyager predecessor and a balloon. (2) Burt Rutan, right, designer of the GlobalFlyer, talks about the next attempt at a flight record. With him are, from left, pilot Steve Fossett and Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Atlantic Airways. (3) The GlobalFlyer, here with pilot Steve Fossett Virgin Atlantic chairman Richard Branson and designer Burt Rutan, will fly again in February. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer |
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