One Catch: He Doesn't Have A Rating... Yet

Britain's Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin king, says he's pumped more than $1.8 million into his Global Flyer project -- and if worse comes to worse, he's the backup pilot. There's just one thing: Branson can't fly.

Branson's frequent partner in daring-do adventures, Steve Fossett, will pilot the Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer, a single-engine, Rutan-designed jet designed to carry more than four times its own weight in fuel. The mission is expected to last about 80 hours.

"Charles Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic, Amelia Earhart crossed the Pacific and the last big challenge is to see whether someone can fly non-stop around the world and this is the plane to do it," Branson said during a Global Flyer test flight. "It will not be easy to control but I am sure he will be able to pull it off. Steve will have to stay awake for 80 hours but if anyone can do it, he can do it."

If Branson, 54, does have to replace Fossett, 60, he'll have to get some lessons first. Branson said that would take about three months, a prospect he admittedly wouldn't duck.

The record attempt is expected to take 80 hours in a futuristic single-engined jet which will carry more than four times its own weight in fuel.

"Charles Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic, Amelia Earhart crossed the Pacific and the last big challenge is to see whether someone can fly non-stop around the world and this is the plane to do it," he said.

Voicing his support for Mr Fossett, he went on: "It will not be easy to control but I am sure he will be able to pull it off.

"Steve will have to stay awake for 80 hours but if anyone can do it, he can do it."

If for any reason Mr Fossett, 60, is unable to fly the plane for the attempt expected in January next year, Sir Richard will step in as reserve pilot.

But the 54-year-old Virgin boss does not yet hold a pilot's licence and admitted he would have to take three months off work to train.

"Half of me particularly wants Steve to stay well but there is a bit of me that would love to do it," he told Britain's Press Association.

FMI: www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com