World press focuses on Mojave Airport
Scaled Composite's rolls out GlobalFlyer
BY BILL DEAVER
MOJAVE - "It's not Hollywood - it's 'Mojavewood,'" Burt Rutan said of the show that was about to begin in Hangar 63 at Mojave Airport last Thursday morning.
Rutan was right. Several minutes later, a crowd of reporters from the U.S. and around the world stood on platforms inside the darkened hangar as the latest design from Rutan's Scaled Composites was unveiled with a light show, pounding music, and fog like an aeronautical disco.
The rock n' roll atmosphere was old hat to the man behind GlobalFlyer, the airplane Sir Richard Branson asked Rutan and Scaled to design and build for him. Billionaire Branson got his start promoting records for Britain's Virgin Records, parlaying those revenues into low-cost VirginAtlantic Airways, and in his spare time, becoming a modern-day Indiana Jones, seeking adventure while attempting to set new records on land, sea and air.
Around the world in 80 hours
Standing alongside Branson and Rutan in the hangar was Steve Fossett, no slouch at adventure himself. Locally, Fossett is teamed with Einar Enevoldson of California City on an effort to set a sailplane altitude record in New Zealand.
Fossett is the designated pilot who hopes to take GlobalFlyer around the world in 80 hours without refueling. He's been around the world by himself before, when he became the first person to make the trip solo in a balloon. Like Branson, Fossett has made news on water, setting numerous world records, including a trans-Atlantic record of four days and 17 hours. Branson has broken balloon records and holds the record for the fastest sailboat crossing of the Atlantic.
Then there's Rutan, taking time off from his efforts to win the X-Prize with SpaceShipOne.
"We're taking on the world," the fast-paced video that opened Thursday's event declared amid images of all three men's achievements.
World media
As has become the custom when Rutan and Scaled unveil their latest achievements, aerospace media representatives from around the globe were on the scene, including some 35 Branson flew in from the United Kingdom, where he is quite well-known.
"He's one of those rare people who's got money and is still well-liked, which in the U.K. is unusual," said reporter Jon Lockett of the London Daily Star, a tabloid that continues the age-old tradition of a photo of a topless woman on Page 3 each day.
Lockett said that while much of what Branson does gains publicity for Virgin, "he's prepared to take a risk - he puts his money and his reputation on the line. In the past things have gone wrong and he's bounced back and it's a fantastic achievement when he pulls it off."
Lockett also admired Fossett. "When there's a speed record on the moon, I'm sure he will set it!"
Einar Enevoldson of California City, who is working with Fossett on the sailplane record attempt, said he liked the design of GlobalOne, which is a lot like a sailplane.
"I like it - I think it's a good-looking airplane, it's one of Burt's more aesthetically-pleasing enterprises.
Peter Paes of the Los Angles Times, who said he has been to Mojave Airport many times, said "this is a terrific place - it's sort of the semi-center of aviation development, with Edwards nearby - it's obviously a good place to introduce an airplane."
Dave Parker, a photographer for the London Daily Mail, was impressed with the airport.
"This is a great place," noting that he recognized a lot of stored airliners that frequent London's Heathrow airport.
Once again the world's eyes were focused on a place that has become a recognized name in international aerospace circles.
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