Tue, Sep 18, 2007
Rescue Efforts Scaled Back To Handful Of Aircraft
Some discouraging -- though not
unexpected -- news on the search for missing aviator Steve Fossett.
Officials involved with the now two-week-old search effort tell
Agence-France Presse efforts have slowed considerably, with only a
handful of military helicopters still flying.
Nevada State Police spokesman Chuck Allen said the Civil Air
Patrol has also scaled back its efforts, after completing a search
of approximately 20,000 square miles of mountainous terrain in
western Nevada.
"The Civil Air Patrol feel that they have completed their search
of 98 percent of the ground that needed to be covered," Allen told
AFP. "They feel like they've done everything they can at this
stage. They will leave two aircraft on standby and in the event of
them receiving new information, or a positive lead, they will be
deployed."
Allen added pilots and ground crews involved in the mission --
including many volunteers -- are disappointed their efforts have,
so far, come up empty-handed.
"With all the assets that have been used in this operation there
is a level of frustration that we have not been able to find Mr
Fossett," he said. "Everyone involved has put in 102 percent, so
yes, there is disappointment."
As ANN reported, Fossett
disappeared after taking off from Flying M Ranch in Yerlington, NV
September 3, on what was reported to be a scouting flight for
suitable locations for a land speed record attempt later this
year.
At one point, as many as 45 planes were involved in the massive
search effort... which uncovered seven previously unrecorded
accident sites, but no sign of the millionaire adventurer.
More News
Takeoff Roll The process whereby an aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and the aircraft is moving with the intent to take off. For helicopters, this pertains to the act>[...]
“We’re proud of the hard work that went into receiving this validation, and it will be a welcome relief to our customers in the European Union. We couldn’t be mor>[...]
Also: 1800th E-Jet, Uncle Sam Sues For Landing Gear, Embraer Ag Plane, Textron Parts A friend of the family reported that Lt. Col. (Ret.) Richard Glenn Rutan flew west on Friday, M>[...]
Also: Virgin Galactic, B-29 Doc to Allentown, Erickson Fire-Fighters Bought, FAA Reauthorization After dealing with a big letdown after the unexpected decision by Skyreach to disco>[...]
"Aircraft Spruce is pleased to announce the acquisition of the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero. Wag-Aero was founded in the 1960’s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the >[...]