Steve Fossett Quotes (31 Quotes)

Fuel OK, oxygen OK, got four hours of sleep last night and physical condition is very good,

So far, I've been able to control descents and climbs to 500 feet per minute, ... Autopilot cannot keep up. Parachute is on in case of envelope rupture.

The next launch attempt will be made on the morning of Wednesday the 8th, at between 0641 and 0706 local time (1141 to 1206 UTC).

When Richard and I jumped out and we're in the water and we're right close to each other, I reached over and shook hands and said, 'We've survived,'

This is not just another round-the-world attempt we mean to succeed this time. That's a tall order.

I'm feeling good, healthy, but with the usual concern,

This is a Solo Flight, but I want aviation enthusiasts and adventurers everywhere to join me in the endeavour.

We were dragged for at least a couple of miles and probably bounced 50 times before the balloon settled down enough so we could get outside the capsule and jump into the water,

The good thing about flying solo is it's never boring.

If I have engine trouble, there will be no trouble with gliding,

Mountain climbing was my original sport ... and I've never tired from the satisfaction of getting to the top of a mountain.

It's something I've wanted to do for a long time.

It will be very close. I'm stretching the limits of the airplane.

In the middle of the night we decided it was a hopeless situation, ... We decided to fly as close as we could to Hawaii to make it an easy rescue.

Whereas my falling in the Coral Sea almost killed me -- because that was in a thunderstorm in a ruptured balloon -- the most dangerous thing in the world,

They see that as part of their future. We're a discovery project for them, to discover new uses for the shuttle landing facility. As far as Kennedy is concerned, it's a great runway, a runway in perfect condition, equal to the longest available in the Uni

The fuel leak is fixed and we believe the worldwide wind pattern is acceptable. I hope to be flying in the morning.

To fly this distance that I plan to fly, everything has to go right. So if I were to have the same fuel venting problem and lose fuel, then I would not be able to accomplish the mission and I would cut it short.

As a Scout, I learned how to set goals and achieve them. Being a Scout also taught me leadership at a young age when there are few opportunities to be a leader. Scouting values have remained with me throughout my life, in my business career and now as I take on new challenges.

There's no turning back. It was halfway around the world when I found the fuel problem, ... Not only might the flight not have finished, but I might have gotten the plane stuck somewhere.

I want to make this the longest flight by any type of aircraft.

Currently, I would say the chances are no more than 50-50. It would be devastating to have to ditch the ultimate distance record when I am in the home straight.

It was a scary time, and I had my parachute on and I was prepared to bail out in case a wing broke.

I was really lucky to make it here today, there was a lot going on. The tension of the final part really took it out of me, but I will be fine in the morning.

I think it's time to go sailing.

I do this as a matter of personal satisfaction. To achieve something that is difficult and that stretches my ability to do it.

So this is turning into a real classic test for these boats, and we're motivated to get it back. It is a complex test, planning, meteorology and precise sailing all wrapped up together -- and we do expect to see some pretty big winds.

They didn't even offer me a beer or anything.

You have to believe that you are going to succeed with this flight because a water landing would be very dangerous, ... I'm using the same capsule I've used for seven balloon flights, and it's seaworthy.

This is the oldest form of aviation in the world -- ballooning -- and yet it hasn't been done yet,

I started mountain climbing with the troop in Southern California when I was 12. I thought I'd do it indefinitely, but then I found other challenges.