Fossett set to recreate first non-stop trans-Atlantic flight
{{date|June 12, 2005}}

American millionaire and adventurer [[w:Steve Fossett|Steve Fossett]] and his co-pilot Mark Rebholz are planning to recreate [[w:John Alcock (aviator)|John Alcock]] and [[w:Arthur Whitten Brown|Arthur Whitten Brown's]] historic [[w:Alcock and Brown|first non-stop transatlantic flight]] of 1919.

Following the original route, the pair hope to leave Lester's Field in [[w:Newfoundland|Newfoundland]], [[Canada]] next weekend and fly to [[w:Clifden|Clifden]] on the west coast of [[Ireland]]. They intend to land at the Ballyconneely golf links near the Irish town. However, the date of departure, 19 June, is very much weather dependent because the pilots will be relying solely on the sun and stars for direction &mdash; no instruments are being used for navigation.

The trip, which will be completely in a replica [[w:Vickers Vimy|Vickers Vimy]], will take approximately 20 hours to complete. The Vickers Vimy was originally designed as a [[w:World War One|World War One]] bomber. This particular plane has already been used to recreate significant journeys; having flown from [[United Kingdom|Britain]] to [[Australia]] in 1994, and from England to [[w:South Africa|South Africa]] in 1999.

==Steve Fossett==

Mr. Fossett is a multimillionaire who earned his fortune in the [[w:United States|American]] financial markets. He holds 15 [[w:world record|world record]] passages in sailing &mdash; including the record for fastest [[w:Circumnavigation|circumnavigation]] of the world. He was the first person ever to fly a solo, non-stop, aerial circumnavigation of the globe in a jet aircraft. He has also swum the [[w:English Channel|English Channel]] and driven the [[w:24 hours of Le Mans|24 hours of Le Mans]].

The adventurer also holds the interesting distinction of holding more world records than anyone else &mdash; currently 62 world records.

{{haveyoursay}}

== Related news ==
*{{Wikinews|title=Steve Fossett attempts a record flight around the world|date=March 3, 2005}}
*{{Wikinews|title=Steve Fossett becomes the first person to fly solo, non-stop around the world|date=March 3, 2005}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4085428.stm| title= Final plans for historic flight | author= |pub=BBC News|date=June 12, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://stjohns.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=nf-vickers-vimy-050610| title=Vickers Vimy replica arrives in St. John's | author= |pub=CBC.ca|date=June 12, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=4680114| title=Adventurers Plan Re-Run of First Transatlantic Flight | author=Ed Carty |pub=The Scotsman|date=June 12, 2005}}

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[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Ireland]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Canada]]
[[Category:Science and technology]]
[[Category:Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Aviation]]
American millionaire and adventurer Steve Fossett and his co-pilot Mark Rebholz are planning to recreate John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown's historic first non-stop transatlantic flight of 1919.

Following the original route, the pair hope to leave Lester's Field in Newfoundland, Canada next weekend and fly to Clifden on the west coast of Ireland. They intend to land at the Ballyconneely golf links near the Irish town. However, the date of departure, 19 June, is very much weather dependent because the pilots will be relying solely on the sun and stars for direction — no instruments are being used for navigation.

The trip, which will be completely in a replica Vickers Vimy, will take approximately 20 hours to complete. The Vickers Vimy was originally designed as a World War One bomber. This particular plane has already been used to recreate significant journeys; having flown from Britain to Australia in 1994, and from England to South Africa in 1999.

The adventurer also holds the interesting distinction of holding more world records than anyone else — currently 62 world records.
Europe Ireland North America Canada Science and technology Atlantic Ocean Aviation