The longest flight in history

The GlobalFlyer in a previous flight.It is designed for optimal fuel use.(Photo: VNN)

American pilot Steve Fossett plans to make the longest flight in history in the middle of next week, starting with NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

In the midst of many aviation records, Steve Fossett hopes to drive the Virgin GlobalFlyer around the world alone, then fly over the Atlantic for the second time. The journey will end in Kent, England, about 80 hours later.

Beyond every record

However, in order to take off with a large amount of fuel, the air temperature at the center's 5km runway should not exceed 11 degrees C. At this temperature, the new air is sufficiently thick to provide lift necessary.

If successful, this flight will break the record of the previous distance for non-refueling aircraft during the trip. The 40,212km record was established by Dick Rutan and Jeanna Yeager in 1986 with the Voyager aircraft. Both Voyager and GlobalFlyer were designed by Dick Rutan's brother. In addition, Burt Rutan also designed SpaceShipOne - the X-Prize-winning spacecraft.

Steve Fossett (Photo: VNN)

The longest flight is 41,978km, built by the Breitling Orbiter air balloon in 1999.

However, GlobalFlyer's expected flying distance is 46,000km, surpassing all the above records. Moreover, the flight also demonstrated advances in aircraft manufacturing technology over the past two decades. Known in 2005, GlobalFlyer completed a flight around the world, driven by Fossett.

More than 80% by weight is fuel

According to Richard Branson, president of Virgin Atlantic, the flight shows that the application of new technologies, such as lightweight composite and fuel-saving systems, could change the airline industry in the future.

The takeoff weight of the aircraft will be 9,997kg and 83% of it is the weight of the fuel. GlobalFlyer's unburnt weight is only 1,500kg, no heavier than a car. Its wingspan is 35m, close to the wingspan of the Boeing 737.

The use of the Kennedy Space Center as a starting point suggests that NASA began allowing some private customers to use the runway.

Minh Son (According to NewScientist)