Salina

Millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett on Thursday became the first person to fly around the world solo without stopping or refueling — 67 hours and 37 000km after taking off in his spindly-looking, experimental jet. Fossett (60) already holds the record for flying solo around the globe in a balloon.

American adventurer Steve Fossett was flying over southern China on Wednesday, having passed the halfway point in his attempt to make the first solo, non-stop flight around the world without refuelling and almost no sleep. Should everything continue to go as planned, Fossett is expected to return to Kansas on Thursday after spending 60 to 80 hours in the air.