Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer coming to EAA AirVenture this summer!
There's more great news for EAA AirVenture 2005, which already has confirmed a stellar lineup of the world's most unique aircraft. The Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, which Steve Fossett piloted in the first non-stop, non-refueled solo flight around the world, will take part in the 53rd annual edition of EAA AirVenture, "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration," on July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
GlobalFlyer completed its 67-hour flight around the world on March 3 after logging nearly 19,880 nautical miles (22,862 statute miles) and returning to its departure airport of Salina, Kan. Fossett, an EAA member who had already been the first person to fly a balloon around the world alone, had earlier expressed his wish to bring the airplane to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Virgin Atlantic's chairman and founder, Sir Richard Branson, proclaimed immediately after the flight that the aircraft would come to Oshkosh this summer.
The airplane is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday afternoon, July 26, and remain for at least several days. It will be parked on the AeroShell Square showcase ramp at the center of the EAA AirVenture grounds.
The GlobalFlyer was created by renowned aircraft designer Burt Rutan and the Scaled Composites team in Mojave, Calif. The journey had some anxious moments, however. Early in the flight, indicators onboard GlobalFlyer showed that the airplane did not have as much fuel as earlier projected, putting the flight's completion in jeopardy. Fossett used outstanding fuel management and tailwinds aloft to successfully fly the airplane back to Kansas.
GlobalFlyer has a 114-foot wingspan and is powered by a single Williams FJ44-3 ATW jet engine. It is capable of speeds in excess of 285 miles per hour and can fly to altitudes of 52,000 feet. GlobalFlyer's cockpit is just 7.7 feet long, just large enough for the pilot, plus food, water and personal equipment.
You can find out more at www.airventure.org.
GlobalFlyer completed its 67-hour flight around the world on March 3 after logging nearly 19,880 nautical miles (22,862 statute miles) and returning to its departure airport of Salina, Kan. Fossett, an EAA member who had already been the first person to fly a balloon around the world alone, had earlier expressed his wish to bring the airplane to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Virgin Atlantic's chairman and founder, Sir Richard Branson, proclaimed immediately after the flight that the aircraft would come to Oshkosh this summer.
The airplane is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday afternoon, July 26, and remain for at least several days. It will be parked on the AeroShell Square showcase ramp at the center of the EAA AirVenture grounds.
The GlobalFlyer was created by renowned aircraft designer Burt Rutan and the Scaled Composites team in Mojave, Calif. The journey had some anxious moments, however. Early in the flight, indicators onboard GlobalFlyer showed that the airplane did not have as much fuel as earlier projected, putting the flight's completion in jeopardy. Fossett used outstanding fuel management and tailwinds aloft to successfully fly the airplane back to Kansas.
GlobalFlyer has a 114-foot wingspan and is powered by a single Williams FJ44-3 ATW jet engine. It is capable of speeds in excess of 285 miles per hour and can fly to altitudes of 52,000 feet. GlobalFlyer's cockpit is just 7.7 feet long, just large enough for the pilot, plus food, water and personal equipment.
You can find out more at www.airventure.org.
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