VIRGIN ATLANTIC”S latest exploit is unlikely to make any difference to its airline operation but the now global carrier has put its resources behind last week”s first ever solo flight around the world without refueling by legendary aviator and record breaker Steve Fossett (he of the solo balloon flight around the globe). Flying from Kansas to Kansas the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer completed the circumnavigation in 67 hours, 2 minutes and 38 seconds. Sir Richard Branson, friend, supporter and fellow adventurer was at Salina Airport, Kansas, to meet the returning hero. The GlobalFlyer”s take of weight was 22,100lbs including 18,100lbs of fuel. The pioneering aircraft, easily the world”s most efficient jet plane, was built and designed by Burt Rutan Scaled Composites, the company who also led the recent SpaceShipOne project. Branson also somehow managed to get his replica Caley Flyer involved with the homecoming, part of his campaign to acknowledge the Yorkshire baronet as the world”s first true aviator.
http://www.virgin.com/atlantic