The Russians are coming!
Ah well we had a good run before the first pedant stuck their oar in. I think you'll find that most who have passed their nav are aware that a true circumnavigation requires that one cross the equator and travel a path equal to or exceeding the earth's circumference. Those who also paid attention in met will understand that achieving this in a device propelled by atmospheric movement alone will attract an ever so slightly higher score for difficulty. Not taking anything away from those who sought to edumacate the rest of us gullible clots, but....
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CIRCUMNAVIGATION
While I agree that a true circumnavigation would include the crossing of all meridians and the equator, the rules applied by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale(F.A.I.) for validating aerial circumnavigations are:
"Fora powered aircraft to officially circumnavigate the world it must cross allmeridians in one direction, travel a distance of at least 36,787.559 km (thelength of the Tropic of Cancer), and complete the journey at the point ofdeparture. Each leg must commence at the exact point where the previousfinished off. There is no requirement that it cross the Equator or touchantipodal points.
TheF.A.I. o has a different (less stringent) set of rules for inflatable craft,such as balloons and blimps, which are at the mercy of winds and jet streams."
Good effort by the Russian and I see that the first Solar powered flight is about completed.
It seem that the age of adventure is not over yet.
"Fora powered aircraft to officially circumnavigate the world it must cross allmeridians in one direction, travel a distance of at least 36,787.559 km (thelength of the Tropic of Cancer), and complete the journey at the point ofdeparture. Each leg must commence at the exact point where the previousfinished off. There is no requirement that it cross the Equator or touchantipodal points.
TheF.A.I. o has a different (less stringent) set of rules for inflatable craft,such as balloons and blimps, which are at the mercy of winds and jet streams."
Good effort by the Russian and I see that the first Solar powered flight is about completed.
It seem that the age of adventure is not over yet.
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Your comment noted Spinex. If being a pedant as a result of suggesting the reporting be accurate - then thank you for the compliment.
Subsequent to Seagull's comment, my interest was raised enough to read the FAI's rules on such flights. Throughout they are referred to "around the world" and not otherwise because of the considerations you mention Spinex.
Further to the Russki's fastest flight around the world for which his preliminary claim is before the FAI for ratification, (the claim is for an "Absolute Record" in ballooning), he is also claiming 4 records in various sub-classes, one of which is a distance record of 34,000km which eclipses Steve Fossett's distance record by around 800km
As I said earlier, a commendable effort.
Subsequent to Seagull's comment, my interest was raised enough to read the FAI's rules on such flights. Throughout they are referred to "around the world" and not otherwise because of the considerations you mention Spinex.
Further to the Russki's fastest flight around the world for which his preliminary claim is before the FAI for ratification, (the claim is for an "Absolute Record" in ballooning), he is also claiming 4 records in various sub-classes, one of which is a distance record of 34,000km which eclipses Steve Fossett's distance record by around 800km
As I said earlier, a commendable effort.
