Author Topic: Steve Fossett record flight  (Read 11240 times)

Offline JetScan1

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Steve Fossett record flight
« on: February 08, 2006, 10:38:12 AM »
Anyone monitoring this flight ? Watching them on the tracking programs looks like he is using the callsign "Virgin 101". If the route stays as advertised it will take him right through the coverage area of the LiveATC.Net radios scanning Boston Center and Moncton/Gander Center, also might hear him on the Atlantic HF radios. DJ

http://www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com/MissionControl/Tracking/



Offline Tomato

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Steve Fossett record flight
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2006, 11:40:01 AM »
This potential "record breaking" flight looks really cool.  There are actually people in the "control center" which makes it that much more fun.  I'm curious how he can make a non-stop flight for 80 hours with food, water, or um, "bathroom facilities"?   8)

Offline Ronski

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Steve Fossett record flight
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2006, 12:05:56 PM »
Thanks for the link JetScan1

Offline Biff

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Steve Fossett record flight
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2006, 12:40:40 PM »
I attended his presentation at Oshkosh last year.  He explained about the food and water and bathroom facilities.  He's a funny guy too, very personable.  You'd never guess he was a billionaire if you met him on the street.

He does what the Apollo astronauts did, go on a "low residue" diet several days before launch.  Still, he has a procedure in place should he have to uhh, go number 2.  But it involves almost completely removing his pressure suit.

I've got pics of the Global Flyer on my site linked below.  He does a helluva buzz job!

Offline Biff

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Steve Fossett record flight
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2006, 04:16:21 PM »
Wow, he had two bird-strikes on takeoff.  Thankfully, no apparent damage (to the aircraft, anyway).

Offline AirBoss

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Steve Fossett record flight
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2006, 05:08:18 PM »
Quote from: Biff
Wow, he had two bird-strikes on takeoff.  Thankfully, no apparent damage (to the aircraft, anyway).

Wonder how much closer that made the need to go number 2. :lol:

Offline dave

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Steve Fossett record flight
« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2006, 08:04:22 AM »
It looks like Steve will fly through Boston Center airspace later today.  Check his flight status page (linked off our front page) for his position.

The feed where he might be picked up is:
http://audio.liveatc.net:8012/zbw_test.m3u

If someone manages to hear him (Virgin 101?) please email me with the time.  It would be quite a catch!

Dave

Offline Ronski

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Steve Fossett record flight
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2006, 02:20:55 PM »
Just heard on the UK news that S.F. may only get as far as Ireland. Short of fuel.

Are you ready for him EIDW?

Offline Claude Christie

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Steve Fossett record flight
« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2006, 03:59:12 AM »
I was monitoring Moncton ACC but did not hear VIR101.  Just curious if there is an autopilot on board.   Hope so that way the pilot could get some rest now and then.

Offline m50

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Steve Fossett record flight
« Reply #9 on: February 11, 2006, 05:08:38 AM »
:o If he does have fuel problems having crossed the atlantic he will probably land on the west coast  ... maby shannon...unfortunatly outside my reciever range

Offline Tom56

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Steve Fossett record flight
« Reply #10 on: February 11, 2006, 09:15:26 AM »
He's getting closer. It's amazing to me. I have trouble going on a 4 hour flight south.  :)

Offline Jason

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Steve Fossett record flight
« Reply #11 on: February 11, 2006, 12:58:04 PM »
Steve Fossett has made it!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060211/ap_on_sc/fossett_flight

I was up very late last night tracking his flight, and figuring out frequencies.  I didn't catch his transmissions on HF, but hope to get the 11PM-12AM archive of the ZBW Test feed which should have him since he passed through their sector.

Regards and congrats to Steve!

Jason

Offline JetScan1

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Steve Fossett record flight
« Reply #12 on: February 11, 2006, 01:20:52 PM »
I was monitoring this flight in the UK (I won't say how in case the airband snitch police are watching). London Control set up a discreet frequency for him and his chase plane (N377SF) to use. Heard him on 127.700 declare an emergency due generator problems, around 30,000 feet reported he needed lower because all his windows were iced up, briefly discussed going to Cardiff, then choose Bournemouth, reported that he had lost all navigation capability and was relying on London to give him headings to the airport, switched to London on 136.600 approaching Bournemouth, didn't know how long his battery would last, reported to London that he had no forward visibilty and could only see sideways, requested vectors for a downwind so he could find the airport. What a way to end an 80 hour flight ! Someone out there must have some audio clips ? DJ

Offline Tom56

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Steve Fossett record flight
« Reply #13 on: February 11, 2006, 02:18:28 PM »
We'll I'm glad to see he made it safely down and has broken the record. :)

Offline Tomato

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Steve Fossett record flight
« Reply #14 on: February 14, 2006, 09:11:42 AM »
Is there an archive of this?  I'd be interested in listening to the sound clips as well.  It's almost too bad that he fell short of his goal, but still- at 76 hours in the air, that's absolutely impressive.  :D