Fossett touchdown creates flying history

A triumphant Steve Fossett returned to earth today after becoming the first person to fly solo non-stop around the world.

He touched down in Salina, Kansas, at 1.48pm local time (7.48pm Irish time) watched by thousands of spectators.

His aircraft, Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, looked in perfect condition after taking almost 67 hours to circumnavigate the globe.

Fossett has certainly not followed the predictable path of a retired investment banker. Ever since leaving the world of the City and finance he has made it his mission to push the boundaries of endurance and daring to the limit.

The 60-year-old millionaire has ballooned, sailed and flown round the world, knocking off a total of 62 world records.

Today he picked up three more taking the total to 65.

Not only has he become the first person to fly solo non stop around the world, he now holds two records for the longest distance without landing.

But these igures bely the fact that to reach such dizzy heights, he has risked his life many times.

Mr Fossett was born in Tennessee on April 22, 1944, but raised in Garden Grove in California.

He gained a degree in Economics at Stanford University and went on to Washington University where he completed an MBA.

After graduation, he worked as a stock broker in Chicago and made his fortune in the financial markets and investment banking.

But this success did not bring notoriety like the endurance records he has attempted in the later stages of his life.

His first fame came with his ballooning efforts, which, after eight years saw him successfully complete a solo round the world balloon trip.

In July 2002, he flew “Bud Light Spirit of Freedom” around the globe and set a new speed record.

Mr Fossett has also set a raft of jet aircraft and gliding records, both solo and unaccompanied.

The American went on to pursue sailing and again clocked up a set of records for distance and speed.

In his “spare” time, he has swum the English Channel and driven the 24-hour Le Mans rally.

Mr Fossett has been married for more than 35 years to Peggy – who is notoriously publicity shy – and the couple has no children.

She has been following the attempt from Mission Control in Salina.

Throughout his latest challenge, her husband has earned something of a reputation for his understated and unflappable demeanour.

Journalists were crestfallen to hear him describe the experience of flying at 45,000ft around the world alone in a futuristic plane as simply “good”.

Mr Fossett first came into view on the horizon at 1.44pm local time (7.44pm Irish time) and there were whoops of delight from the 10,000 people lining the runway.

He landed in bright sunshine, the blue skies proving a sharp contrast to his bitterly cold departure on Monday evening.

The aircraft, containing a fraction of the fuel it had on take off, came to a swift stop on the Salina runway.

The crowds cheered as he taxied past them and engineers rushed to the aircraft to ensure that all was well.

Sir Richard Branson and chief engineer Jon Karkow welcomed GlobalFlyer with two huge chequered flags.

Mr Fossett took 12 minutes to taxi to a stop in front of the hangar.

The Salina South High School band, the Marching Cougars, struck up a lively tune as he came to a complete stop.

Nine engineers then rushed to the plane and helped the weary pilot out of the cockpit.

He looked unsteady on his feet as he stepped out of the aircraft but was grinning and waving at the cheering crowds.

He hugged his wife, Peggy, before embracing Sir Richard.

Mr Fossett thanked everyone who had supported him throughout the challenge including the aircraft builders Scaled Composites, the Virgin boss and the local community.

He said: “That was something I have wanted to do for a long time, it was a major ambition.

“I am a really lucky guy now I got to achieve my ambition.”

He was then sprayed with a magnum of champagne by Sir Richard.