16 July 2007
Steve Fossett has secured yet another world record, flying a 1250 km triangular course in Nevada in 8 hours, 23 minutes at an average speed of 149.23 kph (92.73 mph). This breaks one of the oldest gliding records in the book. The previous record had been set a couple of records ago by Hans Werner Grosse.
Fossett was accompanied by New Zealander Terry Delore in the flight, which took place last week.
Although Fossett and Delore have set 11 of the 19 unlimited glider speed and distance records together, the 1250 Kilometer Triangle was a special target – and was particularly difficult to break because of the requirement to fly their unpowered glider at high speed over such a long distance.
As if to prove the fact, Fossett told journalists: “We have been challenged by this record. We have sought the right conditions for 4 years in Argentina, Australia, South Africa, and USA, and it has taken us 27 attempts to finally get it exactly right. This record is especially satisfying for Terry and me.”
The record has yet to be certified by the FAI.
Fossett holds many aviation records, including <a href=’http://flyer.co.uk/news/newsfeed.php?artnum=252′ target=’_blank’>First Solo non-stop Round the World airplane flight</a>.
Fossett is currently planning a world land speed record attempt, aiming for 800 mph.
