SIXTY-year-old global aviator Steve Fossett set out on a new challenge ?a solo, non-stop, non-refueled circumnavigation of the earth ?on February 28, the Shanghai Youth Daily reported. His route should take him past Shanghai.

He said this adventure would be the most difficult challenge in his life, in an interview with AFP.

Fossett took off on the afternoon of February 28 in Kansas of the United States. The flight is expected to last for 70 to 80 hours, covering a distance of over 37,000 kilometres at an average speed of 460 kilometres per hour.

In order to avoid the need to refuel during the flight, the plane carries 8,626 kilograms of fuel. The flight altitude will hit 13,716 metres, higher than an ordinary flight. The plane will pass over many cities, including Chicago, Toronto, London, Paris, Rome, Shanghai, Tokyo and Los Angeles.

Steve Fossett, investment banker and adventurer, became the first person to circumnavigate the globe alone in an unmotorized balloon.

His reputation as one of the world’s most accomplished private jet pilots is founded upon the 10 world records he has set, which include records for US transcontinental, Australia transcontinental, and the fastest flight ever in a non-supersonic airplane of 742.02 miles per hour. With co-pilot Terry Delore, Fossett has set nine of the 21 Glider Open records.

Fossett has also made speed sailing a specialty and, since 1993, has dominated the record sheets, setting 21 official world records and nine distance race records.

(Star News)