Historic Round-the-World Flight Set for Monday Takeoff

Published: Feb 27, 2005
Source: www.livescience.com



A one-of-a-kind experimental aircraft is ready to attempt the first solo, nonstop circumnavigation of the globe without refueling. The flight is firmly slated for Monday, Feb. 28, though takeoff is still dependent on weather.

An official announcement is expected later Sunday.

Launch of the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer from Salina, Kansas has been given a thumbs-up by officials, who have delayed the attempt since January because of bad weather locally and along the route. Liftoff of the aircraft is expected to take place between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Central Time (3-7 p.m. ET).

Officials had said Saturday that Monday would likely be a go. The expected launch was confirmed Sunday in a statement provided to LiveScience.com.


The Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, sponsored by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic Airways and designed by aerospace designer Burt Rutan, is a single-pilot, single-engine turbofan aircraft designed expressly for nonstop global circumnavigation. Rutan is the mind behind the SpaceShipOne rocket plane that won the Ansari X Prize last year.
GlobalFlyer aircraft will fly at up to 52,000 feet and travel approximately 23,000 miles at speeds in excess of 285 mph.continue..