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Senior Star
Record-Breaking Pilot is Senior Citizen With Slew of
Records
Steve Fossett has records in many endeavors in air,
on land and on sea
 March
5, 2005 The world knows about the record-breaking endurance flight by
the GlobalFlyer that landed Thursday after the pilot became the first
person to fly around the world alone without stopping or re-fueling.
What many may not know is the pilot Steve Fossett, 60, is a senior
citizen who has set a number of records in the air, on water and on
land. He says, too, he has more on the way.
Fossett's name is synonymous with record breaking.
His eight-year quest to become the first person to achieve a Solo
Balloon Flight Round the World captured the public's imagination and
made him a household name. In July 2002, he achieved his dream at the
helm of the "Bud Light Spirit of Freedom" and in-so-doing set an
Absolute Round the World Speed Record, a new record for the Fastest
Speed by a Manned Balloon and a new 24 Hour Balloon Distance Record.
His reputation as one of the world's most
accomplished private jet pilots is founded upon the 10 world records he
has set, which include records for U.S. Transcontinental, Australia
Transcontinental, and the fastest flight ever in a non-supersonic
airplane of 742.02 mph. With co-pilot Terry Delore, Steve has set 9 of
the 21 Glider Open records.
Alongside aviation, Steve has made speed sailing a
specialty and, since 1993, has dominated the record sheets, setting 21
official world records (14 standing) and 9 distance race records (8
standing). On the maxi-catamaran "Cheyenne" Steve has twice set the
prestigious 24 Hour Record of Sailing, and in October 2001 Steve and his
crew set a TransAtlantic record of 4 days 17 hours - not so much beating
as obliterating the previous record by a whopping 43 hours 35 minutes -
an increase in average speed of more than 7 knots!
Record breaking is Steve's life. And if you want
further proof, when most normal people would be preparing for the
challenge the Global Flyer will place upon them, Steve broke the
Absolute Round the World Sailing Record on "Cheyenne" and before he
embarks on his non-stop flight around the world, he's going to have a
stab at the Glider World Altitude Record, too.
His resume reads like a history book of the last
decade of record breaking. But if you thought record breaking was all
Steve does, you'd be wrong. In his spare time hes swum the English
Channel, taken part in the Ironman Triathalon, and raced at the Le Mans
24 hours? twice.
As Steve exited the cockpit on Thursday and waved
to the crowds, he managed to gingerly stand up and walk even though he,
as expected, appeared to be weary and tired. His happiness at completing
the attempt and getting back on the land to see his wife Peggy, however,
was obvious and his smile said it all.
When asked how he was feeling, Steve remarked:
"That was a difficult trip. I mean it was one of the hardest things I've
ever done. To be on duty for three days and night with virtually no
sleep." Steve added: "I was in control and I think I was able to make
rational decisions and didn't make major errors, which is a great danger
when you get this tired." He was very relieved and added, "It happened
successfully and on the first attempt."
Despite admitting that he did not sleep at all in
the first day and only had half a dozen naps for the rest of the time,
Steve said: "I feel great. Well, yes I could do with a shower and I
could do with a little sleep, but I really do feel great."
After 67 hours and 1 minute of grueling sleep
deprivation and 12 unappealing diet milkshakes, Steve finally touched
down in front of an excited crowd of public and press at Salina
Municipal Airport at 19:48:56UTC
Steve added that he was looking forward to having a
real dinner after all those milkshakes.
Of the crowds Steve said: "I do these things
because I want to do them for my self esteem and my personal
satisfaction, and this is the first time a big crowd has come out to
support me on a project and in the records that I do. I think that's a
really good sign that all these people share the enthusiasm and
excitement for an airplane adventure."
Steve said the record was "the most important
aviation record yet to be done, but it's not the last important
record...I'm not ready to announce any new projects, but, in fact, I
have three projects in planning right now."
Although the flight has been recognized as the
first solo trip around the world by Guinness World Records, it is still
to be sanctioned by the National Aeronautique Association (NAA). When it
is, it should be recognized as the fastest non-stop, non-refueled
circumnavigation ever.
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