Wed, Jan 04, 2006
Impact On Record Flight Not Determined
Aero-News has confirmed Virgin Atlantic Airways is postponing
the arrival of the record-breaking GlobalFlyer at NASA's Kennedy
Space Center, FL due to damage to one of the aircraft's wings.
Representatives with Virgin Atlantic tell Aero-News one of the
GlobalFlyer's wing tips struck a fuel tank truck during fueling for
a planned test flight Wednesday afternoon. The GlobalFlyer was due
to arrive at the spacecenter Friday, in preparation for Steve
Fossett's attempt to circumnavigate the world -- and then some --
for "The Ultimate Flight" record attempt.
According to the company, there is "considerable" damage to the
wing.
It is not yet known whether this will impact the take-off date
for the record attempt, previously estimated to take place from the
beginning of February onwards.
As was previously reported by
Aero-News, NASA agreed to let Virgin Atlantic Airways
use Kennedy's Space Shuttle Landing Facility as a takeoff site for
"The Ultimate Flight." The facility use is part of a pilot program
to expand runway access for non-NASA activities.
Fossett and the technical team (below) are currently assessing
on how long it will take to repair and retest the aircraft, and
hope to be able to update everyone further at that point.
"This could be a real set back for 'The Ultimate Flight' record
attempt," said Fossett. "Everyone involved in the record attempt is
as disappointed as I am that repositioning could not take place as
planned. We are currently assessing the damage for how long the
repairs will take to see when we can get back on track."
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