Weather May Send Balloonist Toward Libya

Millionaire balloonist Steve Fossett hit some rough air Friday that may force him in a direction he doesn’t want to go: right over Libya.

Fossett’s team in St. Louis said the development poses a serious threat to his quest to become the first balloonist to travel nonstop around the world. He made it halfway last year but was forced to land in India after Libya delayed granting him permission to fly over the country until he had already wasted precious fuel.

That ill-fated trip halfway around the world was the longest ever for a balloonist: 10,377 miles.

By 6:30 p.m. PST, Fossett had crossed the Atlantic Ocean and was 200 miles west of London, flying at 150 mph at an altitude of 27,000 feet.

Strong winds, rain and thunderstorms over Ireland and northern Spain will force him to change his course, said Tim Cole, chief engineer for Fossett’s flight team. If those weather patterns continue, Fossett’s flight will take him over Italy and the Mediterranean Sea and through Libya by 4 p.m. PST today, Cole said.

The flight team in St. Louis is again seeking permission from the Libyan government for Fossett to fly over. If Libya denies the request, Fossett would be forced to land before he gets to Libya, or in Libya itself.

Fossett, a 53-year-old commodities trader from Chicago, is making his fourth try to circle the globe.

The Libyan government is aware of the special nature of the flight, said Victor Le Vine, a Washington University political science professor and an expert in international affairs.

“They are in the process of deliberating,” Le Vine said. “They are hardheaded people and pretty smart with decisions like these.”

The team does not have a chase plane following Fossett’s balloon like it did last year, Cole said.

“We are going on the basis that we are going to succeed, that we are going to get Libya’s permission,” said Alan Blount, director of the Solo Spirit Mission Control. “Steve is taking it matter-of-factly. . . . He’s realistic.”

Fossett set out Dec. 31 from St. Louis. His trip around the world is expected to last 15-20 days.