He’s set 62 world records, doing such things as flying around the world in a hot air balloon and transatlantic sailing. But becoming the first person to fly solo around the world without refueling is Steve Fossett’s favourite accomplishment yet.
“I worked on it for such a long time, and it involved a lot of people. It’s an airplane flight, and I want to be an accomplished pilot. So this is right up at the top as far as an achievement for me,” Fossett told CTV’s Canada AM Friday from Salina, Kansas.
It took the millionaire adventurer 67 hours to make the 37,000-kilometre trip around the world. He did it in the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, a single-engine jet that’s been called “a fuel tank with room for one.” Its cockpit is two metres long and is equipped with 13 tanks that can carry nearly 2,500 kilograms of fuel.
CTV.ca News Staff
Analysis:
Fossett’s successful attempt to circumnavigate the world in 67 hours reminds me of another aviator who is at the forefront of many people’s mind due to the success of a recent Hollywood movie called The Aviator.
Howard Hughes was one of the richest, most famous and most admired men in the world during his lifetime. He too was an adventurer who set records, and accomplished many memorable things in life. He also died a miserable wretch.
I don’t know anything about Steve Fossett, and I am aware of the mental illness which contributed greatly to the destruction of Howard Hughes. However, as the world congratulates the accomplishments of such men, I can’t help but remember the words of the wise man, recorded in the book of Ecclesiastes, “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind” (1:14).
While it is true that the acomplishment is grand, it is temporal, and will be forgotten with time. It has no bearing on the eternal welfare either of Fossett, or any other human being.
In effect, what we are doing here, today, in worshipping together as a family, though not “newsworthy,” is infinitely more important.
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all” (Ecc. 12:13).
