Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006

K-STATE STUDENTS SELECTED TO SUPPORT GLOBALFLYER MISSION

SALINA – Three Kansas State University at Salina students have been selected to support the second Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer record attempt. Next month, pilot and millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett will look to set the longest non-stop flight distance record during the GlobalFlyer Ultimate Flight, less than a year since the aircraft’s first record-setting non-stop, solo flight around the world.

Fossett asked three aviation students, all of whom assisted with the first GlobalFlyer record in 2005, to assist with the planning, maintenance and mission control operations for the Ultimate Flight.

“Having these students involved with this second record attempt is just one more opportunity that has come from our involvement with the historic project in 2005,” said Dennis Kuhlman, K-State at Salina dean. “Steve Fossett is dedicated to helping inspire young people to dream and achieve their goals, and this is demonstrated in his commitment to having our students involved once again.”

Nancy Milleret and Patrick Rinearson were selected to assist Fossett with flight planning prior to the attempt. They will also be based at mission control in England during the flight, assisting with aircraft tracking, weather reporting and air traffic control communications. James Reed was asked to provide aircraft maintenance and fueling on the GlobalFlyer in Florida prior to the launch. He also has been asked to assist with post-flight recovery and maintenance on the aircraft in England.

“I am so pleased that Steve has selected these three students to support this exciting mission,” Kuhlman said. “They proved their aviation skill and professionalism during the first GlobalFlyer project, and I am confident that, once again, each will represent our university extremely well.”

Milleret is a senior in professional pilot from Linwood; Rinearson is senior in professional pilot from Olathe; and James Reed is a senior in aviation maintenance from Salina.

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