Feb. 12, 2006 - 18:15 MST

ON THE GROUND

Fossett on the ground once again after a record breaking flight. A hairy adventure is seems. Published in this morning's The Denver Post by the Associated Press, follows in full:

ADVENTURER FOSSETT BREAKS RECORD FOR AIRPLANE DISTANCE

He flew 26,389 miles in a lightweight experimantal craft. Mechanical troubles stopped his trip early

MANSTON, ENGLAND -- "Adventurer Steve Fossett completed the longest nonstop flight in aviation history with an emergency landing Saturday, flying 26,389 miles in about 76 hours but stopping early because of mechanical prolems."

"Ground control said Fossett, 61, broke the airplane distance record of 24,987 miles while his lightweight experimental plane was flying over Shannon, Ireland."

"Generator problems forced him to land the Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer at Bournemouth International Airport in southern England instead of at a military airstrip in nearby Kent."

" I was really lucky to make it here today; there was a lot going on," Fossett said after he landed."

"The millionaire adventurer completed his nonstop journey around the globe, -- and then some -- over 3 1/2 days despite losing about 750 pounds of fuel during his takeoff Wednesday from Kennedy Space Center in Florida because of a leak."

"Fosset recounted the journey after he arrived later Saturday at his scheduled finishing point -- Kent International Airport -- on a private jet alongside Richard Branson, the billionaire owner of Virgin Atlantic, which sponsored Fossett's record bid."

"Fossett was greeted by his wife Peggy, and applause from the assembled crowd."

"Fossett said he realized he was in trouble when he began his descent for Kent and a light indicated that the plane's generator had failed, prompting him to put emergency procedures in place."

"The tense climate was one of several episodes tht nearly doomed his voyage."

"During takeoff Wednesday from Kennedy Space center, his plane leaked fuel, and he nearly ran out of runway."

"I had to pull up with all my might," to get the plane in the air before the end of the air strip."

"Severe turbulence over India "almost broke the plane apart," he said, forcing him to strap on a parachute for fear of having to eject."

"Instead his flight team altered his projected route. They had him cross Florida and take a southerly path on the flight's last leg to take advantage of better winds."

"The plane's ventilation system also malfunctioned midway through the trip, causing temperature in the 7 foot cockpit to rise to as high as 130 degrees."

"Early Saturday, Fossett decided to try to finish the trip after reaching the middle of the Atlantic."

"He burst two tires on landing, and the poor Global Flyer had to be dragged off the runway," said Steve Ridgeway, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic."

"His voyage broke the airplane distance record of 24,987 miles set in 1986 by the lightweight Voyager aircraft piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yaeger, as well as the balloon record of 25,361 miles set by Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard in 1999."

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How far we have come since I was a child. My first memories were that aircraft were daytime machines, later with the aid of rotating beacon lights mail planes flew at night, guided by the beacons. They were very limited as to the distance they could fly.

But science, engineering and expertise in the construction of aircraft and the advancement of navigational methods have put us to this point. We can more than fly around the world, non-stop. In a bit over three days. Such an advancement for humanity.

Wouldn't it be nice if that could be devoted to the invention of automobiles that could emulate Fossett's beast ? Almost unlimited mileage on very little gas. But it can be done I think.

Along with that, the re-invention and engineering needed to make highways fit for such vehicles to safely drive. Readjustment of speed limits, possibly downward a bit because the vehicles would necessarily be so light. All sorts of enigmas to solve to make something like that possible, but people have solved problems greater than this and put us where we are today.

I think that possibly one of the biggest problems that can be encountered is humanity's resistance to change of any kind. Congressional halls echoing with sounds of battle. Oil industry corporations going berserk over something like that. The speed demons of the U.S.A. coming unglued. And of course the faith based somethings will chip in with horror of something new coming down the pike.

It is, I think, time for big changes to occur, especially considering the cost of petroleum products. Time for progress ON THE GROUND . . . . . . . . . .

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