Fossett Update
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Fossett Update
Steve Fossets support crew starts unloading equipment at Northam for impending attempt at round the world balloon flight.
The flight is expected to commence mid to late June depending upon weater condtions.......more to come soon as I will keep all updated.
The flight is expected to commence mid to late June depending upon weater condtions.......more to come soon as I will keep all updated.
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Good to my word........Fossett is looking forward to the upcoming flight.
"The first solo 'round-the-world' balloon flight is my greatest challenge. Again this year, I have the help of my expert balloon team and student interns from Washington University in St. Louis. Now Bud Light has joined the effort. This is a grand adventure and with this team, I have every chance of success," Fossett said.
Mission control for the flight will again be located at Washington University in St. Louis. Immediately after the launch from Northam, the project manager, mission control director, meteorologists, and other members of the balloon team will direct around-the-world flight operations from this nerve center.
Eighteen Washington University students from the School of Engineering and Applied Science, The Olin School of Business, and the College of Arts & Sciences will serve as interns on the project, working closely with the mission control balloon team 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the duration of the flight. These internships are made possible by a generous grant from Barron Hilton, a long-time ballooning enthusiast and admirer of Steve Fossett and his many accomplishments.
"Washington University is pleased to host mission control, and we are especially grateful to Barron Hilton for making it possible for so many of our students to have a wonderful learning experience and to participate in such an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime adventure," said Mark S. Wrighton, Chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis. "We all wish Steve Fossett, our alumnus and trustee, Godspeed and every success on his upcoming attempt to achieve the last, greatest record in aviation."
.............
"The first solo 'round-the-world' balloon flight is my greatest challenge. Again this year, I have the help of my expert balloon team and student interns from Washington University in St. Louis. Now Bud Light has joined the effort. This is a grand adventure and with this team, I have every chance of success," Fossett said.
Mission control for the flight will again be located at Washington University in St. Louis. Immediately after the launch from Northam, the project manager, mission control director, meteorologists, and other members of the balloon team will direct around-the-world flight operations from this nerve center.
Eighteen Washington University students from the School of Engineering and Applied Science, The Olin School of Business, and the College of Arts & Sciences will serve as interns on the project, working closely with the mission control balloon team 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the duration of the flight. These internships are made possible by a generous grant from Barron Hilton, a long-time ballooning enthusiast and admirer of Steve Fossett and his many accomplishments.
"Washington University is pleased to host mission control, and we are especially grateful to Barron Hilton for making it possible for so many of our students to have a wonderful learning experience and to participate in such an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime adventure," said Mark S. Wrighton, Chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis. "We all wish Steve Fossett, our alumnus and trustee, Godspeed and every success on his upcoming attempt to achieve the last, greatest record in aviation."
.............
I don't want to be the best pilot in the world - Just the oldest
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Elevator,
Thanks for keeping us up to date. Should be a very exciting event particularly for those of us in Perth. Only about a 1.5 hr drive from Perth.
NORBASH 2002 yeeeha!
Thanks for keeping us up to date. Should be a very exciting event particularly for those of us in Perth. Only about a 1.5 hr drive from Perth.
NORBASH 2002 yeeeha!
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Thanks for the support.
Islander Jock, Gaunty and others here in Perth would probably know by now that Fossett could be trying an attempt as soon as this week. On the TV News tonight, so the heat is being turned up.
As I receive any news, as promised I will keep you l up to date.
Perth PPruners may even get together at the event for an unofficial bash.
If things don't eventuate in the mean time ,I will take a drive to Northam later in the week to see for myself.
Later...........................
Edited by Elevator for spelling errors..
Islander Jock, Gaunty and others here in Perth would probably know by now that Fossett could be trying an attempt as soon as this week. On the TV News tonight, so the heat is being turned up.
As I receive any news, as promised I will keep you l up to date.
Perth PPruners may even get together at the event for an unofficial bash.
If things don't eventuate in the mean time ,I will take a drive to Northam later in the week to see for myself.
Later...........................
Edited by Elevator for spelling errors..
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Fossett has done wonders in design of new gondola....but the toilet system is the same....look out if you are below, the bucket is emptied over the side.
I have got the proposed route for you. I look forward to any PPruners flying on by to keep us posted. All I have to do is work out how to put it up for you?
I have got the proposed route for you. I look forward to any PPruners flying on by to keep us posted. All I have to do is work out how to put it up for you?
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Steve Fossett (USA, b. 1944) holds official world records in balloons, sailboats and airplanes. His round-the-world balloon attempts in August 1998 and August 2001 are the longest solo flights in a balloon for distance and duration, respectively - and, in fact, by any type aircraft. He had made the first balloon crossing of Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, the South Atlantic, South Pacific and Indian Oceans, plus the first solo flight across the Pacific Ocean.
Steve Fossett is the world's most accomplished speed sailor. He holds 12 of the 21 outright world records of sailing as certified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council. His Trans-Atlantic record and the 24-hour record are the fastest open water sailing records.
Steve holds the U.S. transcontinental records for non-military airplanes in both directions, and the round-the-world records for medium weight airplanes in both directions. In addition, he has completed premier endurance sports events including the Iditarod, Ironman Triathlon, and the English Channel swim.
BALLOONING
Solo Round-the-World attempt
(Longest Duration Solo Flight) Northam, Australia to Bage, Brazil
12 days, 12 hours, 57 minutes
August 5-17, 2001
Round-the-World attempt St. Louis, Missouri to Grechanaya, Russia
5,802.94 statute miles
January 1-5, 1998
Trans-Atlantic Flight St. John's, Canada to Hamburg, Germany
August, 1994
Steve Fossett is the world's most accomplished speed sailor. He holds 12 of the 21 outright world records of sailing as certified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council. His Trans-Atlantic record and the 24-hour record are the fastest open water sailing records.
Steve holds the U.S. transcontinental records for non-military airplanes in both directions, and the round-the-world records for medium weight airplanes in both directions. In addition, he has completed premier endurance sports events including the Iditarod, Ironman Triathlon, and the English Channel swim.
BALLOONING
Solo Round-the-World attempt
(Longest Duration Solo Flight) Northam, Australia to Bage, Brazil
12 days, 12 hours, 57 minutes
August 5-17, 2001
Round-the-World attempt St. Louis, Missouri to Grechanaya, Russia
5,802.94 statute miles
January 1-5, 1998
Trans-Atlantic Flight St. John's, Canada to Hamburg, Germany
August, 1994
Last edited by Elevator; 3rd Jun 2002 at 13:53.
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Steve Fosset's new craft is known as SPIRIT OF FREEDOM.
Information is available at;
http://www.spiritoffreedom.com.
We wish him well.
Cirrus
Information is available at;
http://www.spiritoffreedom.com.
We wish him well.
Cirrus
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Systems almost ready for launch
Northam, Western Australia (June 6, 2002) - Bud Light Spirit of Freedom Project Director Tim Cole advised today all systems are nearly ready for a launch from Northam in Western Australia (WA). While the burner, navigation and communications systems - plus propane/ethane fuel tanks, helium cells and envelope - are ready as from this Friday, team members are still waiting for the right weather - and, of course, the arrival in Australia of pilot Steve Fossett, currently altitude training in Colorado.
All the airborne essentials are now on site in Northam except for the onboard food for the mission. Fossett will bring the flight rations when he arrives in WA early next week.
"At this time all we need is the weather - and Steve - for a successful launch," Cole said.
After crew members arrived in Perth, they made their way to the Northam airstrip, 60 miles east of Perth, and began sorting equipment shipped mid-April from Cole's home base in Colorado.
Cole and Bud Light Spirit of Freedom crew members Bert Padelt (Systems Director), from Pennsylvania, and Launchmaster Dennis Brown, from Colorado, brought along three laptops and satellite phones, but the rest of the 2 tons of equipment traveled for 40 days from the US via train, truck and boat to Singapore, before landing last week in Perth. The three metal sea containers holding the capsule and balloon envelope "traveled well".
Cole said the ground crew team benefited from last year's launch experience at Northam and was able to complete the initial set up of equipment efficiently and with a minimum of fuss, despite consistent and sometimes heavy rain over the past week. The crew is optimistic about the possibilities for Fossett to become the first person to circumnavigate the world solo in a balloon. Equally excited are the townspeople of Northam.
"They're wonderful," Cole said of his hosts. "There's such cooperation here. If we need something, they try to assist."
Crews from the Shire Council in the small farming town are currently setting up fencing around the balloon team's hangar for security and are also building a grandstand for the expected 4,000 spectators to watch the launch.
Chief meteorologist Luc Trullemans projects an ideal lift-off weather pattern in the coming few weeks - the current forecast is Code Yellow ('carefully considering ‚ and closely watching') on one possible pattern for a launch as early as Wednesday night June 12th.
Code YELLOW for June 12
Northam, Western Australia (June 5, 2002) - Metoerologist Luc Trullemans reports a nice slot appearing Wednesday and Thursday next week. The best launch time would be between 8 pm June 12 and 8 am June 13 local time. The trajectories to the mid-South Pacific are excellent, but the critical entry into South America is not forecastable until tomorrow.
The color codes used by many adventure meteorologists are:
RED: No possibility of Launch
YELLOW: Under careful consideration
GREEN: Launch is planned but could be cancelled due to changing conditions
Local Australian time is 14 hours later than the time at Mission Control at Washington University in St Louis. Here's how you calculate the time zones:
- Western Australia is UTC+8 (Universal time + 8 hours)
- St Louis is UTC-6
- Total 14 hours later
The launch team is ready now. I'm healthy and ready to fly.
Steve Fossett
Pilot
Bud Light Spirit of Freedom
Northam, Western Australia (June 6, 2002) - Bud Light Spirit of Freedom Project Director Tim Cole advised today all systems are nearly ready for a launch from Northam in Western Australia (WA). While the burner, navigation and communications systems - plus propane/ethane fuel tanks, helium cells and envelope - are ready as from this Friday, team members are still waiting for the right weather - and, of course, the arrival in Australia of pilot Steve Fossett, currently altitude training in Colorado.
All the airborne essentials are now on site in Northam except for the onboard food for the mission. Fossett will bring the flight rations when he arrives in WA early next week.
"At this time all we need is the weather - and Steve - for a successful launch," Cole said.
After crew members arrived in Perth, they made their way to the Northam airstrip, 60 miles east of Perth, and began sorting equipment shipped mid-April from Cole's home base in Colorado.
Cole and Bud Light Spirit of Freedom crew members Bert Padelt (Systems Director), from Pennsylvania, and Launchmaster Dennis Brown, from Colorado, brought along three laptops and satellite phones, but the rest of the 2 tons of equipment traveled for 40 days from the US via train, truck and boat to Singapore, before landing last week in Perth. The three metal sea containers holding the capsule and balloon envelope "traveled well".
Cole said the ground crew team benefited from last year's launch experience at Northam and was able to complete the initial set up of equipment efficiently and with a minimum of fuss, despite consistent and sometimes heavy rain over the past week. The crew is optimistic about the possibilities for Fossett to become the first person to circumnavigate the world solo in a balloon. Equally excited are the townspeople of Northam.
"They're wonderful," Cole said of his hosts. "There's such cooperation here. If we need something, they try to assist."
Crews from the Shire Council in the small farming town are currently setting up fencing around the balloon team's hangar for security and are also building a grandstand for the expected 4,000 spectators to watch the launch.
Chief meteorologist Luc Trullemans projects an ideal lift-off weather pattern in the coming few weeks - the current forecast is Code Yellow ('carefully considering ‚ and closely watching') on one possible pattern for a launch as early as Wednesday night June 12th.
Code YELLOW for June 12
Northam, Western Australia (June 5, 2002) - Metoerologist Luc Trullemans reports a nice slot appearing Wednesday and Thursday next week. The best launch time would be between 8 pm June 12 and 8 am June 13 local time. The trajectories to the mid-South Pacific are excellent, but the critical entry into South America is not forecastable until tomorrow.
The color codes used by many adventure meteorologists are:
RED: No possibility of Launch
YELLOW: Under careful consideration
GREEN: Launch is planned but could be cancelled due to changing conditions
Local Australian time is 14 hours later than the time at Mission Control at Washington University in St Louis. Here's how you calculate the time zones:
- Western Australia is UTC+8 (Universal time + 8 hours)
- St Louis is UTC-6
- Total 14 hours later
The launch team is ready now. I'm healthy and ready to fly.
Steve Fossett
Pilot
Bud Light Spirit of Freedom
I don't want to be the best pilot in the world - Just the oldest
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Just tried to find out if any restrictions on aircraft arrivals and departures are going to be invoked immediately before and after liftoff. No luck with Northam Coucil or the aero club. Anyone know?
Will probably head up by bugsmasha afternoon of planned launch.
Elevator - email me if you want a ride up and back.
btw
Shouldn't that be Local Australian time is 14 hours aheadof mission control?
Will probably head up by bugsmasha afternoon of planned launch.
Elevator - email me if you want a ride up and back.
btw
Local Australian time is 14 hours later than the time at Mission Control at Washington University in St Louis.
Last edited by Islander Jock; 7th Jun 2002 at 08:46.
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NEWS RELEASE
6/7/2002
Contacts
Judith Jasper Leicht
(314) 935-5408
Donna Kettenbach
(314) 935-5230
St. Louis, MO (June 7, 2002) - While balloonist Steve Fossett readies himself for his RTW flight, a group of Washington University in St. Louis students are embarking on an adventure of their own. Students are Ready when Steve Is
St. Louis, MO (June 7, 2002) - While balloonist Steve Fossett readies himself for his RTW flight, a group of Washington University in St. Louis students are embarking on an adventure of their own.
These student interns for the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom project will manage and staff Mission Control at Washington University in St. Louis. The students immersed themselves in training sessions this week, beginning with a detailed explanation of how Mission Control works, presented by the University’s Office of Public Affairs’ staff.
Then, interns broke into their teams for hands-on training and practicing what it will be like running Mission Control during Fossett’s flight. They will work in shifts, staffing the operation 24/7 once balloon is launched.
Students work on one of five teams, each led by a team captain. The Call Center team answers and processes calls from the media; the Mission Control team sets up media interviews and staffs the Media Center; the Press Conference team facilitates media advisories and logistics of news conferences; the Radio Actualities team interviews, scripts and records sound bites for the broadcast media; the Web team monitors, edits and updates the webpage.
In addition, engineering student, Project Team Leader and Assistant Air Traffic Control Coordinator, Barry Tobias oversees all the student interns and works closely with each team. Student intern, Emily Fredrix, Media Coordinator for Australia, will be onsite in Northam working with the media before and during the launch; she then travels back to Mission Control to be part of the Press Conference team.
The Call Center is comprised of Olin School of Business students, headed up by Ines Tiu. “I just graduated, so it’s important to me to stay connected to the University and this is a good means to do so,” she says. “It’s great to gain media experience and try something new.”
These business students believe what they learned in their Organizational Behavior class will be put to good use on the project. “Knowing something about how an organization’s structure works will help, and we’ll get a first-hand look at this one,” Tiu said, referring to the entire mission team.
“This is a really interesting and different project to take part in it…being part of a team, dealing with people, answering caller’s questions concisely, working on and being part of a team; fitting into the hierarchy,” says Jerome Cephas, who will graduate in December. “The training has been fun and effective.” Cephas is bi-lingual and will be working with Spanish-speaking media when the balloon comes around South America.
The Mission Control team will take media inquiries from the Call Center. “It’s fast-paced and great for me since I’m interested in science writing,” says Ellen Thompson, a May graduate.
“I’m excited about using real situation deadlines—calls have to be answered, responding to the media, etc.” notes Jeremy Raphael, a May business school graduate. Junior David Perlman agrees, “This is an exciting, unique project to work on—it will teach us about discipline and we have to be able to manage it all.”
Working with the media is something that sophomore Radio Actualities team member Shawn Henderson enjoys and is accustomed to. “I worked as a Sports Information Assistant for the University during the school year,” he says.
Earth and planetary sciences major John Russell, also a member of the radio team, will use his classroom training to explain some of the flight’s scientific aspects to the media. Stephen Forbes is radio team leader, a licensed HAM radio operator and a junior mechanical engineering major, minoring in aerospace engineering, concentrating in robots. Both Forbes and Russell worked on Fossett’s RTW attempt in the summer of 2001.
The Web team has epitomized hands-on training this week, changing, adjusting and updating the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom website to bring it live. The four-member team is headed by Jared Macke, a computer engineering junior who has also acted in several University theatre productions. All team members have webpage design experience and will have the opportunity to enhance their skills as they keep the website updated throughout the flight.
Working as part of a team and utilizing their communication and project management skills are just some of the benefits student interns will have being part of an organization supporting Fossett’s RTW flight. As the interns prepare for the flight, they’re part of a one-of-a-kind learning experience which they won’t soon forget.
6/7/2002
Contacts
Judith Jasper Leicht
(314) 935-5408
Donna Kettenbach
(314) 935-5230
St. Louis, MO (June 7, 2002) - While balloonist Steve Fossett readies himself for his RTW flight, a group of Washington University in St. Louis students are embarking on an adventure of their own. Students are Ready when Steve Is
St. Louis, MO (June 7, 2002) - While balloonist Steve Fossett readies himself for his RTW flight, a group of Washington University in St. Louis students are embarking on an adventure of their own.
These student interns for the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom project will manage and staff Mission Control at Washington University in St. Louis. The students immersed themselves in training sessions this week, beginning with a detailed explanation of how Mission Control works, presented by the University’s Office of Public Affairs’ staff.
Then, interns broke into their teams for hands-on training and practicing what it will be like running Mission Control during Fossett’s flight. They will work in shifts, staffing the operation 24/7 once balloon is launched.
Students work on one of five teams, each led by a team captain. The Call Center team answers and processes calls from the media; the Mission Control team sets up media interviews and staffs the Media Center; the Press Conference team facilitates media advisories and logistics of news conferences; the Radio Actualities team interviews, scripts and records sound bites for the broadcast media; the Web team monitors, edits and updates the webpage.
In addition, engineering student, Project Team Leader and Assistant Air Traffic Control Coordinator, Barry Tobias oversees all the student interns and works closely with each team. Student intern, Emily Fredrix, Media Coordinator for Australia, will be onsite in Northam working with the media before and during the launch; she then travels back to Mission Control to be part of the Press Conference team.
The Call Center is comprised of Olin School of Business students, headed up by Ines Tiu. “I just graduated, so it’s important to me to stay connected to the University and this is a good means to do so,” she says. “It’s great to gain media experience and try something new.”
These business students believe what they learned in their Organizational Behavior class will be put to good use on the project. “Knowing something about how an organization’s structure works will help, and we’ll get a first-hand look at this one,” Tiu said, referring to the entire mission team.
“This is a really interesting and different project to take part in it…being part of a team, dealing with people, answering caller’s questions concisely, working on and being part of a team; fitting into the hierarchy,” says Jerome Cephas, who will graduate in December. “The training has been fun and effective.” Cephas is bi-lingual and will be working with Spanish-speaking media when the balloon comes around South America.
The Mission Control team will take media inquiries from the Call Center. “It’s fast-paced and great for me since I’m interested in science writing,” says Ellen Thompson, a May graduate.
“I’m excited about using real situation deadlines—calls have to be answered, responding to the media, etc.” notes Jeremy Raphael, a May business school graduate. Junior David Perlman agrees, “This is an exciting, unique project to work on—it will teach us about discipline and we have to be able to manage it all.”
Working with the media is something that sophomore Radio Actualities team member Shawn Henderson enjoys and is accustomed to. “I worked as a Sports Information Assistant for the University during the school year,” he says.
Earth and planetary sciences major John Russell, also a member of the radio team, will use his classroom training to explain some of the flight’s scientific aspects to the media. Stephen Forbes is radio team leader, a licensed HAM radio operator and a junior mechanical engineering major, minoring in aerospace engineering, concentrating in robots. Both Forbes and Russell worked on Fossett’s RTW attempt in the summer of 2001.
The Web team has epitomized hands-on training this week, changing, adjusting and updating the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom website to bring it live. The four-member team is headed by Jared Macke, a computer engineering junior who has also acted in several University theatre productions. All team members have webpage design experience and will have the opportunity to enhance their skills as they keep the website updated throughout the flight.
Working as part of a team and utilizing their communication and project management skills are just some of the benefits student interns will have being part of an organization supporting Fossett’s RTW flight. As the interns prepare for the flight, they’re part of a one-of-a-kind learning experience which they won’t soon forget.
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Here's some more reading...........The Balloon
The Bud Light Spirit of Freedom balloon uses a combination of helium and hot air to fly, a design known as a Roziere balloon. The balloon envelope is 140 feet tall and 60 feet wide. It contains 550,000 cubic feet of helium plus 100,000 cubic feet of hot air. It was designed by Donald Cameron and built by Cameron Balloons Ltd, Bristol, England. It contains no engine; the balloon is powered solely by the wind. Forty tanks of fuel, a mixture of propane and ethane, hang from the outside of the capsule. This fuel is burned to heat the helium in the balloon to cause it to rise. The pilot steers the balloon by ascending or descending to catch winds blowing in the desired direction. The balloon carries the Comstock Autopilot, which can maintain the balloon at a constant altitude by using a computer to control the burners. This allows the pilot to get some sleep!
Andy Elson built the gondola to design specifications by Cameron Balloons. The gondola, an unpressurized capsule 7' long, 5-1/2' wide, and 5-1/2' high. It is a lightweight composite of Kevlar and carbon, fitted with a plastic bubble hatch on top. Lithium batteries power the electronic components inside the capsule. A pair of heaters keep the capsule interior temperature between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
A Global Positioning System (GPS) relies on satellites to determine the balloon's precise latitude and longitude for navigation. The Inmarsat C satellite communication system is the primary means of communication between Spirit of Freedom and mission control, with the Inmarsat Mini M satellite telephone as a backup. High-Frequency (HF) radio is used for communication with Air Traffic Control. Very-high-frequency (VHF) radio provides air-to-air and air-to-ground communication up to 100 miles. The Spirit of Freedom mission team is not giving out the radio frequencies used. Finally, the balloon is equipped with an Emergency Position Indicating Rescue Beacon (EPIRB) which can be activated by the pilot to initiate an international search and rescue.
Flight Path
The balloon will be launched from Northam, Western Australia. The Bud Light Spirit of Freedom Balloon flies with the wind. Upon a favorable trajectory forecast, Fossett will launch from West Australia and fly east over Australia. Next he will cross over the South Pacific. He will travel across Chile, Argentina and the South Atlantic Ocean. He expects to pass just south of Capetown, South Africa to the final stretch over the Indian Ocean. To succeed, he must land back in Australia at a longitude equal to or farther east than where he began his journey
......
The Bud Light Spirit of Freedom balloon uses a combination of helium and hot air to fly, a design known as a Roziere balloon. The balloon envelope is 140 feet tall and 60 feet wide. It contains 550,000 cubic feet of helium plus 100,000 cubic feet of hot air. It was designed by Donald Cameron and built by Cameron Balloons Ltd, Bristol, England. It contains no engine; the balloon is powered solely by the wind. Forty tanks of fuel, a mixture of propane and ethane, hang from the outside of the capsule. This fuel is burned to heat the helium in the balloon to cause it to rise. The pilot steers the balloon by ascending or descending to catch winds blowing in the desired direction. The balloon carries the Comstock Autopilot, which can maintain the balloon at a constant altitude by using a computer to control the burners. This allows the pilot to get some sleep!
Andy Elson built the gondola to design specifications by Cameron Balloons. The gondola, an unpressurized capsule 7' long, 5-1/2' wide, and 5-1/2' high. It is a lightweight composite of Kevlar and carbon, fitted with a plastic bubble hatch on top. Lithium batteries power the electronic components inside the capsule. A pair of heaters keep the capsule interior temperature between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
A Global Positioning System (GPS) relies on satellites to determine the balloon's precise latitude and longitude for navigation. The Inmarsat C satellite communication system is the primary means of communication between Spirit of Freedom and mission control, with the Inmarsat Mini M satellite telephone as a backup. High-Frequency (HF) radio is used for communication with Air Traffic Control. Very-high-frequency (VHF) radio provides air-to-air and air-to-ground communication up to 100 miles. The Spirit of Freedom mission team is not giving out the radio frequencies used. Finally, the balloon is equipped with an Emergency Position Indicating Rescue Beacon (EPIRB) which can be activated by the pilot to initiate an international search and rescue.
Flight Path
The balloon will be launched from Northam, Western Australia. The Bud Light Spirit of Freedom Balloon flies with the wind. Upon a favorable trajectory forecast, Fossett will launch from West Australia and fly east over Australia. Next he will cross over the South Pacific. He will travel across Chile, Argentina and the South Atlantic Ocean. He expects to pass just south of Capetown, South Africa to the final stretch over the Indian Ocean. To succeed, he must land back in Australia at a longitude equal to or farther east than where he began his journey
......
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Status
June 7, 2002 --
Code Yellow
June 14 to 16
Current Telemetry
2002-06-07
08:30:00 UTC
Latitude 31° 37.71' S
Longitude 116° 41.36' E
Altitude 500 ft
Speed 0 mi/hr
Heading 0°
Distance 0 mi
Duration 0d 00:00:00
June 7, 2002 --
Code Yellow
June 14 to 16
Current Telemetry
2002-06-07
08:30:00 UTC
Latitude 31° 37.71' S
Longitude 116° 41.36' E
Altitude 500 ft
Speed 0 mi/hr
Heading 0°
Distance 0 mi
Duration 0d 00:00:00
I don't want to be the best pilot in the world - Just the oldest
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I flew into Northam at last light today for a bit of a look at the setup. None of Fossett's crew there - probably all down at the pub
Two semi trailers parked on the NW corner of the apron loaded with cylinders plus a huge bank of what looked like the cylinders which will go along for the baloon ride. Couple of dongas and containers holding all the equipment.
They have also set up a temporary grandstand for a couple of hundred people beyond the hangars which should give an excellent view of all the action during the liftoff.
Advice for anyone going up to watch the event. If the temp is anything like tonight, take warm clothes!
Two semi trailers parked on the NW corner of the apron loaded with cylinders plus a huge bank of what looked like the cylinders which will go along for the baloon ride. Couple of dongas and containers holding all the equipment.
They have also set up a temporary grandstand for a couple of hundred people beyond the hangars which should give an excellent view of all the action during the liftoff.
Advice for anyone going up to watch the event. If the temp is anything like tonight, take warm clothes!
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Islander Jock, thanks for the update.
Unfortunatley I could not get to Northam yesterday to find out what's happening......But I will try again. Good to see the shire has gone out of its way to build fences etc, I knew things won't start until Monday....and the weather, of course.
The whole thing this time is being prepared to seize the moment, not wait around at Northam to entertain the crowds. Steve is a very focused man with his eye on the job at hand and all amount of preparation for the success of the upcoming flight.
More as I can ..................................later.
Edited for spelling errors/c/o cab merlot.
Unfortunatley I could not get to Northam yesterday to find out what's happening......But I will try again. Good to see the shire has gone out of its way to build fences etc, I knew things won't start until Monday....and the weather, of course.
The whole thing this time is being prepared to seize the moment, not wait around at Northam to entertain the crowds. Steve is a very focused man with his eye on the job at hand and all amount of preparation for the success of the upcoming flight.
More as I can ..................................later.
Edited for spelling errors/c/o cab merlot.
Last edited by Elevator; 9th Jun 2002 at 11:03.
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Status
June 7, 2002 --
Code Yellow
June 14 to 15
Current Telemetry
2002-06-07
08:30:00 UTC
Latitude 31° 37.71' S
Longitude 116° 41.36' E
Altitude 152.4 m
Speed 0 km/hr
Heading 0°
Distance 0 km
Duration 0d 00:00:00
No more news at this point....................................................... ..
June 7, 2002 --
Code Yellow
June 14 to 15
Current Telemetry
2002-06-07
08:30:00 UTC
Latitude 31° 37.71' S
Longitude 116° 41.36' E
Altitude 152.4 m
Speed 0 km/hr
Heading 0°
Distance 0 km
Duration 0d 00:00:00
No more news at this point....................................................... ..
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Flight benefits Northam
Besides witnessing history with the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom flight, the 7,000 residents of Northam are enjoying the worldwide exposure for their town, which is the second largest inland in Western Australia.
Don Burnett, chief executive officer for Northam, said the publicity for the town outweighs the nearly $40,000 Australian they are putting into the event, providing a grandstand for the expected 4,000 spectators, security, lighting, and heated tents.
“The amount of exposure we’re getting, you can’t buy for that amount of money,” he said.
Along with $15,000 of the town’s money, they are using a $25,000 grant from the State of Western Australia. Burnett said last year’s launch happened so quickly, after being moved a few weeks before from Kalgoorlie, some 350 miles east, that Northam officials had little time to plan. But this year, they’ve been able to apply for the grant and enlist the help of local volunteer organizations to plan for the event.
On the edge of the Western Australia wheat belt, Northam accounts for the majority of wheat produced in the region. With its location in the Avon Valley, Northam boasts weather conditions ripe for hot air ballooning, which is also a main industry and tourist draw.
Burnett hopes Fossett’s flight will draw more tourists to Northam and Western Australia. On launch night he said banners will display the town’s name, along with Perth’s.
“We’re not an international destination,” he said. “But Perth is. We want people to find Perth and then look around the region.”
Northam also is benefiting from money pumped into the local economy by crew members, national and international media and Western Australia visitors. Burnett said the Northam tourist bureau already has had many inquiries.
During last year’s launch, David Taylor said his four-room guest house, the Brackson House, was so overbooked by the media that he placed some guests in the lounge room and still turned others away.
This year Shamrock Hotel owners Richard and Sogna Riley are nearly full hosting Bud Light Spirit of Freedom crew members.
“We could have this attempt every week and that’d be good,” Richard Riley said.
Burnett would like Northam to have a permanent tourist draw from the flight. He hopes create an interactive display about Fossett’s flight in the town center.
“There’s no point in me telling the story over and over,” he said. “We’d like to put up a nice display and mark the history here
Nothing specific on window for the launch yet.............................
Besides witnessing history with the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom flight, the 7,000 residents of Northam are enjoying the worldwide exposure for their town, which is the second largest inland in Western Australia.
Don Burnett, chief executive officer for Northam, said the publicity for the town outweighs the nearly $40,000 Australian they are putting into the event, providing a grandstand for the expected 4,000 spectators, security, lighting, and heated tents.
“The amount of exposure we’re getting, you can’t buy for that amount of money,” he said.
Along with $15,000 of the town’s money, they are using a $25,000 grant from the State of Western Australia. Burnett said last year’s launch happened so quickly, after being moved a few weeks before from Kalgoorlie, some 350 miles east, that Northam officials had little time to plan. But this year, they’ve been able to apply for the grant and enlist the help of local volunteer organizations to plan for the event.
On the edge of the Western Australia wheat belt, Northam accounts for the majority of wheat produced in the region. With its location in the Avon Valley, Northam boasts weather conditions ripe for hot air ballooning, which is also a main industry and tourist draw.
Burnett hopes Fossett’s flight will draw more tourists to Northam and Western Australia. On launch night he said banners will display the town’s name, along with Perth’s.
“We’re not an international destination,” he said. “But Perth is. We want people to find Perth and then look around the region.”
Northam also is benefiting from money pumped into the local economy by crew members, national and international media and Western Australia visitors. Burnett said the Northam tourist bureau already has had many inquiries.
During last year’s launch, David Taylor said his four-room guest house, the Brackson House, was so overbooked by the media that he placed some guests in the lounge room and still turned others away.
This year Shamrock Hotel owners Richard and Sogna Riley are nearly full hosting Bud Light Spirit of Freedom crew members.
“We could have this attempt every week and that’d be good,” Richard Riley said.
Burnett would like Northam to have a permanent tourist draw from the flight. He hopes create an interactive display about Fossett’s flight in the town center.
“There’s no point in me telling the story over and over,” he said. “We’d like to put up a nice display and mark the history here
Nothing specific on window for the launch yet.............................
Last edited by Elevator; 14th Jun 2002 at 03:30.
I don't want to be the best pilot in the world - Just the oldest
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from news.com.au 11 Jun
WEALTHY American adventurer Steve Fossett is due to arrive in Perth tonight ahead of his sixth round-the-world balloon flight attempt.
Fossett's team has been in the town of Northam, 100km east of Perth for a week, preparing for the launch and assessing conditions, while Fossett remained in the United States for altitude training.
A spokesman for Fossett said the businessman was scheduled to arrive in Perth tonight before making his way to Northam for a press conference tomorrow morning.
Fossett hopes weather conditions will allow him to launch his helium-filled balloon as early as the wee hours of Saturday, June 15.
If successful, the 58-year-old will be the first person to fly solo around the world in a balloon.
His most recent attempt, launched from Northam last year, ended 12 days later when he was forced by bad weather to land in Brazil.
WEALTHY American adventurer Steve Fossett is due to arrive in Perth tonight ahead of his sixth round-the-world balloon flight attempt.
Fossett's team has been in the town of Northam, 100km east of Perth for a week, preparing for the launch and assessing conditions, while Fossett remained in the United States for altitude training.
A spokesman for Fossett said the businessman was scheduled to arrive in Perth tonight before making his way to Northam for a press conference tomorrow morning.
Fossett hopes weather conditions will allow him to launch his helium-filled balloon as early as the wee hours of Saturday, June 15.
If successful, the 58-year-old will be the first person to fly solo around the world in a balloon.
His most recent attempt, launched from Northam last year, ended 12 days later when he was forced by bad weather to land in Brazil.
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Steve Fossett arrives in Perth overnight................
Fossett arrived in Perth overnight and I believe I saw him fly past my house this morning at around 06.30 WST heading EAST towards Northam at below 5000 feet. His jet was travelling pretty slow as the distance between Perth and Northam probably 60nm.
He flew overhead and was easy to see being so low.
As I have been to Northam working on aeroplanes very early in the morning at this time of year, I have witnessed many times the balloons go aloft as a normal daily occurence. The weather this morning was a classically typical day for a tourist flight and I believe Steve couldn't wait to get there to see what conditions and preparation are like. The possible launch on SATURDAY the 15th will get the best exposure for all concerned and almost garauntee a huge crowd of onlookers at the launch site..
Now things will hot up and the snippets of information will abound..................
Islander Jock... are you still in to fly up? Is your offer the seat still vacant?
Fossett arrived in Perth overnight and I believe I saw him fly past my house this morning at around 06.30 WST heading EAST towards Northam at below 5000 feet. His jet was travelling pretty slow as the distance between Perth and Northam probably 60nm.
He flew overhead and was easy to see being so low.
As I have been to Northam working on aeroplanes very early in the morning at this time of year, I have witnessed many times the balloons go aloft as a normal daily occurence. The weather this morning was a classically typical day for a tourist flight and I believe Steve couldn't wait to get there to see what conditions and preparation are like. The possible launch on SATURDAY the 15th will get the best exposure for all concerned and almost garauntee a huge crowd of onlookers at the launch site..
Now things will hot up and the snippets of information will abound..................
Islander Jock... are you still in to fly up? Is your offer the seat still vacant?