southsider2k5 Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6978818.stm Steve Fossett 'missing' in Nevada Fossett has clocked up more miles than any other pilot in history A plane flown by record-breaking US adventurer Steve Fossett is missing in the Nevada desert, US federal aviation officials have said. Mr Fossett was reportedly last seen taking off from the private airfield at the Flying M Ranch near Yerington, Nevada, on Monday evening. He was flying a blue and white single-engine Citabria plane. A Civil Air Patrol spokeswoman, Major Cynthia Ryan, told PA news that a search for 63-year-old was under way. Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said authorities had been alerted when a friend reported Mr Fossett missing. Steve is a tough old boot. I suspect he is waiting by his plane right now for someone to pick him up Sir Richard Branson "The Civil Air Patrol is looking for him. One problem is he doesn't appear to have filed a flight plan," Mr Gregor told the Associated Press news agency. Mr Gregor said that the Air Force's Rescue Co-ordination Center in Langley, Virginia was overseeing the search. "They are working on some leads, but they don't know where he is right now," he was quoted as saying. Exclusive airstrip Speaking to the BBC about the disappearance of his former crewmate and one-time ballooning rival, Virgin Atlantic President Sir Richard Branson said he was confident his friend would be found safe and well. "Steve is a tough old boot. I suspect he is waiting by his plane right now for someone to pick him up," Mr Branson said. "The ranch he took off from covers a huge area and Steve has had far tougher challenges to overcome in the past. Based on his track record, I feel confident we'll get some good news soon." Mr Fossett reportedly took off from the Flying M Ranch, near Yerington, Nevada - a private airstrip owned by William Barron Hilton, heir and co-chairman of the Hilton Hotel chain and grandfather to socialite Paris Hilton. Mr Barron Hilton has had a passion for flying since his youth, in particular gliding, and he invites pilots who have completed the longest flights to the exclusive ranch to take advantage of its excellent local gliding and A-grade facilities and to meet fellow pilots. Record breaker Since the 1960s the Flying M has been regarded as a Mecca for pilots and a popular haunt for world class aviators and astronauts alike. SOME OF FOSSETT'S RECORDS 1998/2002: Long-distance for solo ballooning 2001/2002: Duration for solo ballooning 2002: First solo round-the-world balloon flight First balloon crossings of Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, South Atlantic, South Pacific, Indian Oceans Seven fastest speed sailing titles 13 World Sailing Speed Record Council titles 2001: Fastest transatlantic sailing 2004: Fastest round-the-world sailing Round-the-world titles for medium airplanes US trans-continental titles for non-military aircraft In 1981 Mr Barron Hilton founded the Barron Hilton Cup, a prestigious international competition for gliders. Mr Fossett made his fortune in the American financial services industry, but he is best known for the impressive number of world records he has broken as a pilot, balloonist and sailor. He has set 116 records in five different sports, more than 60 of which remain unbroken. Last year Mr Fossett broke the world record for flying further than anyone else in history. In March 2005, he became the first person to fly a plane solo around the world without refuelling. And in 2002 he was the first person to fly a balloon around the world solo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 Adding to his accomplisjments, he is the National Eagle Scout Assoc. President Eagle Scout Distinguished Eagle Scout And earned almost every Boy Scouts of America award we got. On the list of famous Eagle Scouts he's always my favorite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 An interesting side note to this search... The hunt for missing aviator Steve Fossett in the rugged terrain of western Nevada could solve some much older mysteries. Searchers have turned up half a dozen previously undiscovered plane crash sites, and they believe there may be as many as 200 such sites around the Sierra Nevada range, where soaring mountain peaks, deep ravines, sagebrush and trees provide natural camouflage for downed planes. Lotta other updates there as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sox4lifeinPA Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 sounds like this is going to end up with "tragedy" written all over it. At least he went out doing what he loved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Sep 13, 2007 -> 11:49 AM) sounds like this is going to end up with "tragedy" written all over it. At least he went out doing what he loved.. crashing into the ground? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 I just don't get how a guy like Fossett goes out without a flight plan. If he was injured but still alive, time would be of the essence. If they knew where he was flying, they could have found him a lot faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Sep 13, 2007 -> 12:48 PM) I just don't get how a guy like Fossett goes out without a flight plan. If he was injured but still alive, time would be of the essence. If they knew where he was flying, they could have found him a lot faster. He was Scouting an area, I'm not certain how exact it would have been. But I agree. That is rule #1 in any outdoor activity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sox4lifeinPA Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 QUOTE(Texsox @ Sep 13, 2007 -> 02:31 PM) He was Scouting an area, I'm not certain how exact it would have been. But I agree. That is rule #1 in any outdoor activity bring beer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Wife wants him declared dead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.