Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer Update; It's a Go!

SALINA, Kan. -- At 21:30CST (03:30UTC) Steve Fossett relayed by satellite phone to Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer Mission Control Director Kevin Stass "let's go for it". Strong tailwinds of between 100-130 knots carried Steve across the Pacific from the coast of Japan to Hawaii, bringing the round-the-world non-stop circumnavigation record back within his grasp.

Steve Fossett, commented:

"I hit the jetstream very well which has put us in a better fuel position. I have every hope of making it to Salina tomorrow."

Although the team at Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer Mission Control are cautiously optimistic there are still obstacles to overcome, not least the wide turn he must take to reach his next way-point which will take him out of the fast jetstream he has benefited from over the past few hours.

When asked how they came to the decision to make the 'go' for Salina, Jon Karkow, Chief Engineer, commented:

"It was at the time when we realized the fuel that we hoped was in the wings was actually there. There are no fuel sensors within these outer tanks so we have had no readings since take off."

Paul Moore, Project Director, said:

"Steve is setting his sights on Salina and on completing his circumnavigation. However there is no room for complacency at this stage, there is increased tiredness in Steve's voice and both the plane and Steve are reaching the limits of their endurance."

www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com has achieved unprecedented numbers of hits with 76m recorded within the last 24 hours. Traffic to the site has been dramatically increasing each hour the attempt continues - the first 24 hours of the attempt resulted in 2.8m hits and that number rose to 10m yesterday. It is expected to reach record levels tomorrow for the final day of the attempt as people around the world log in hoping to watch Steve achieve the record.

In reaction to the news of the website's success, Steve Fossett said:

"That's fantastic! It's great to think of all of those people out there around the globe sharing this adventure with me."

CURRENT FACTS AND FIGURES

TIME (central US):     22:00pm CST

ELAPSED JOURNEY TIME:  51 hours 14 minutes

DISTANCE COVERED:      16,240nm/ 18,676miles

VAGF POSITION:         Flying at 45,259 feet, flying over

SPEED:                 274 knots / 315 mph (ground speed)

FLIGHT SUMMARY:        Since our press conference at 13:00pm (CST)
                       this afternoon Steve has continued his journey
                       across the Pacific reaching Hawaii

                       He is currently approximately 405miles north of
                       Honolulu which is approximately 2153miles from
                       the California coast.

                       He is expected to reach the US coast at
                       Huntington Beach California on the southern
                       edge of Los Angeles.

Good News from Mission Control: Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer Breaks First Record on Around-the-World Attempt

The National Aeronautics Association has confirmed to the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer Mission Control Team that Steve Fossett and the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer team have broken the first record of the around-the-world record attempt. The original record for 'Distance Without Landing' previously stood at 12,532.28 miles and was set by a B-52 bomber in 1962.

At 18:01 UTC (12:01 CST) today, the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer flew over Ferar, which is located in south east of Tokyo in the Oceanic. Designated as way-point #35 on the flight plan on the declared and approved route that was filed when applying for the record, Ferar was designated as the last of the three required way-points. At Ferar, the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer reached 14,358.02 miles, exceeding the B-52 record by 1825.74 miles, or approximately 14%.

The NAA Contest and Records Board has determined the route meets all requirements, therefore setting a new world record pending the certification process which begins upon landing.

For further information please contact the press lines at Mission Control on 001 785 395 7054/5/6/7/8/9

The website will be updated constantly from Mission Control so for up to date information please log onto www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com

UK Virgin Atlantic Press Office [phone]

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer is piloted by Steve Fossett, legendary aviator, sailor and record breaker, who is aiming to break the last great aviation record by attempting the first solo non-stop flight around the world. The pioneering aircraft - the world's most efficient jet plane - has been designed by aviation legend Burt Rutan. It is hoped the record attempt will be successfully completed within 80 hours.