Steve Fossett

[Freight Dog]

This guy looks as if he finally made it! He's got only like 1200 miles left to complete it.

The guy's amazing!

 

[TMMT]

Commie News Network (aka CNN) said he was shooting for a dawn, July 4th landing, kind cool I hope he times it just right!

TMMT

 

[viking737]

To quote Jay Leno during last years trip
" Does anyone care?"

 

[Chairman]

Mr. Fossett is far from amazing. Only deep pockets and lots of people around him that know what they are doing, he only gets the credit.

 

[Anaconda]

chalk me up as one of the people that couldn't care less...

 

[414Flyer]

Mr. Fossett is far from amazing. Only deep pockets and lots of people around him that know what they are doing, he only gets the credit.

Well of course it takes deep pockets..I cant see some homeless person doing this alone, with toilet paper and newspaper , assembled with paper mache and piss. Besides, your same argument could be used for Rutan and Yeager..But would you say it about them? Most every achievement is a team effort, but he is the one whose life is on the line up there, and initiated the the effort.

And yeah he is wealthy..but he did it himself. He does a lot of things like this, but is able to put a lot of his own money into it. He plans to fly a glider next month up around 60,000 ft.

He actually used to work at the same Scout Ranch in New Mexico I did (and so did Rumsfeld), and he puts a lot of time and money into Scouting still, which is certain better than stupid celebrities that sink money into the most inane causes.

 

[flydog]

George Carlin said it best when he said what kind of moron would want to float around the world in a balloon. How about rowing around the world in a canoe. That would be a lot harder.

These days all it takes is money and perseverance to break a record. In the old days it took balls of steel.

For example the italian dude that took an unpressurized biplane to FL480 in the 1930s and the first guy to jump out of a plane with a parachute. These were records that not only required guts but also advanced aviation technology to new levels. I dont see what floating around the world in a balloon accomplishes other than padding the ego of a rich boy.

 

[waka]

Commie News Network (aka CNN) said he was shooting for a dawn, July 4th landing, kind cool I hope he times it just right!

That's funny, Capitalist News Network (aka CNN) said the same thing.

 

[StarChecker]

I'm also under the "Don't give a rat's ass" column.

I'm sure there are far better uses for all the money he's spent in "only" 6 attempts. Lindbergh got one try....now HE was amazing.

 

[MetroSheriff]

chalk me up as one of the people that could care less...

Really, not me..chalk me up as some who couldn't care less.

 

[MetroSheriff]

Furthermore, does it really count as a record if it is only something that, due to prohibitive cost, could only be attempted by a billionaire? I think not.

Hey Steve, if u r going to burn your money, why not do some good with it. If u have that much free time...get a job.

 

[MetroSheriff]

Besides, your same argument could be used for Rutan and Yeager..But would you say it about them? Most every achievement is a team effort, but he is the one whose life is on the line up there, and initiated the the effort.

Uhhh, I think Yeager was an Air Force Captain knocking down about 52 bucks a month. Now the Air Force, yeah there is a DEEP pocket.

Rutan is quite a guy and has done alot in the feild of aero enginerring, but to be put in a league with Yeager might be a bit of a stretch.

Just my $.02

 

[414Flyer]

Uhhh, I think Yeager was an Air Force Captain knocking down about 52 bucks a month. Now the Air Force, yeah there is a DEEP pocket.

Rutan is quite a guy and has done alot in the feild of aero enginerring, but to be put in a league with Yeager might be a bit of a stretch.

Just my $.02

I was referring to 86 when Rutan/Yeager flew around the world. That took a lot of money and sponsorship and I dont think anyone here would denigrate that achievement.

What achievement these days, besides some japanese guy eating 50 hot dogs, is going to be done without deep pockets.

SO what is the guy is rich? Big freakin deal. And why does he need to get a job now? Hell if i made some good money to where I could stop working and live an adventurous life, count me in. I certainly would not be sitting on my ass either.

 

[MetroSheriff]

My apologies...I get you now. Jenna Yeager. I thought u meant General Yeager and the X-1 Project. I will get back under my rock till next time. lol

 

[Chairman]

Let me inlighten you on the glider or perlan project. Again Fossett is the money behind someone elses idea. However when it comes down to it he wants to be named as PIC on all of his adventures. Fossett has less that 100hrs in gliders. Not quite enough experience to take it to space. Good thing a 3000hr glider pilot and former NASA test pilot who actually knows what is going on will be going on the trip with him to babysit.

No one makes a million dollars honestly.
- William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925)