Flying Non-Stop Around The World, World Travel, Flights, Ask Travel Editors

Virgin Atlantic Airways is to launch the first solo piloted aircraft to fly non-stop around the world. The aircraft will be piloted either by Steve Fossett, Richard Branson's partner in his last global ballooning record attempt, or Sir Richard. Steve is lead pilot with Richard first Reserve Pilot. Both Steve and Richard are multiple world record holders and between them [probably] hold more records than any other pair of adventurers. Both pilots are undertaking a rigorous training regime to prepare them for the physical and technical challenges of flying solo round the world.

The record attempt is due to take off and return from a central US location and is scheduled to take place next year. It is hoped the attempt will be successfully completed within 80 hours.

The aircraft designed by Burt Rutan, is being built in the Mojave Desert by Scaled Composites. It is a single pilot, single engine turbofan aircraft designed for non-stop global circumnavigation. The structure of the plane is entirely made from composite material and will be ultra light. The aircraft will fly up to 52,000ft (17,000 metres) and travel between 19,000 and 25,000 miles (between 32,000 and 40,000 km) at speeds in excess of 250 knots (285 mph, 440 kph). The engine is being produced by Williams Engines and recalibrated for the special requirements of the aircraft.

Since it was founded in 1984, Virgin Atlantic Airways has become Britain's second largest carrier serving the world's major cities. Now based at both London's Gatwick and Heathrow airports, it operates long haul services to twenty-two destinations world-wide as far apart as Las Vegas and Shanghai.

Virgin Atlantic currently has a fleet of 27 aircraft which includes twelve 747s, ten Airbus A340-300s and five A340-600s.

Source: Virgin Atlantic
23 Oct 2003