Around the world in 80hrs
Record Bid
VIRGIN boss Sir Richard Branson is unveiling the aircraft which will be used in a record-breaking attempt to fly solo non-stop around the world.
GlobalFlyer will travel 23,000 miles at about 50,000ft and hopes to complete the challenge in less than 80 hours.
Adventurer Steve Fossett will pilot the plane, with Sir Richard as reserve pilot in case anything goes wrong.
The lightweight aircraft will carry more than four times its weight in fuel and needs a 12,000ft runway to take off.
Engineers have been working on the plane in the Mojave Desert, California, for the past seven months.
The challenge - which is due to take pace in April - is the first time a pilot has tried to fly alone and non-stop around the globe.