Annals of Adventure–Fossett Is Wide Open: Steve Fossett, Wetass Extraordinaire, is a very busy guy. Yesterday he took time out from his preparations for an attempt on the outright round-the-world sailing record in his 125-foot maxi-cat “Cheyenne” so he could unveil the Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer, the wild and wacky jet airplane in which Fossett hopes to become the first pilot to solo non-stop around the world. Fossett will attempt the flight–which is being sponsored by his ballooning buddy, Sir Richard Branson–either in April or November of this year, depending on how flight testing goes. Here are the particulars (click here for the full story):

“Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer is a single pilot, single engine turbofan aircraft specifically designed for one mission — a non-stop global circumnavigation. Fuel load, weight and strength are paramount. The main structure is constructed entirely from advanced composite materials and the aircraft can carry more than four times its own weight in fuel — enough to power the specially designed Williams FJ44-3 jet engine for the entire flight. At take off the plane (including fuel and pilot Fossett) will weigh 22,006 lbs. Less than 80 hours and some 23,000 miles later, it will have shed 18,000 lbs. of fuel to land near its dry weight of a little under 4,000 lbs. Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer will fly at altitudes up to 52,000 feet and travel at speeds in excess of 250 knots (287 mph, 463 kph).”

Fossett always has something ridiculously challenging cooking. For the moment, however, his focus is on the Jules Verne attempt, which is the ultimate speed sailing record. Fossett and his 12-man crew–who will start and finish in the English Channel–are currently on standby, watching a favorable weather pattern which may send them off next week. The current record is 64 days, 8 hours, and 37 minutes. And to make it all the more interesting, there is a similar-sized French trimaran–“Geronimo,” skippered by Olivier De Kersauson–which may set out at the same time. Now that would be a drag race worth watching. Please, Olivier, please. Stand by….



GlobalFlyer: “Uhh, Richard, do you really think I’m going to fit into that little bubble?”