Record flight
The week's news at a glance.
Salina, Kan.
Adventurer Steve Fossett flew around the world in 67 hours last week, becoming the first pilot to circle the globe solo without stopping. Fossett, 60, nearly gave up over Hawaii, when the fuel levels in his 13 tanks appeared low. Then, pushed by strong tail winds, he radioed his crew, saying, “Let’s go for it.” Tens of thousands cheered as Fossett touched down where he had started, in Salina, Kan. The 23,000-mile trip—in a jet designed by aviation innovator Burt Rutan—nearly doubled the record for a jet flight without refueling. Fossett had already circumnavigated the globe alone once, using a balloon, but he said this trip was harder. “Believe me,” he said, “it’s great to be back on the ground.”
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Zohran Mamdani: the young progressive likely to be New York City's next mayor
In The Spotlight The policies and experience that led to his meteoric rise
-
The best film reboots of all time
The Week Recommends Creativity and imagination are often required to breathe fresh life into old material
-
'More must be done'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day