AFTER weeks of waiting, Steve Fossett, the millionaire adventurer, early today launched his world record attempt to fly solo 23,000 miles around the globe without stopping or refuelling.

With take-offs cancelled by treacherous weather, at last the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer team gave the green light for the attempt from Salina Airport, in the heart of America’s Midwest.

To cheers from thousands of supporters who had gathered along the runway to witness the start of Mr Fossett’s aviation endurance test, the single- engine jet plane used almost every inch of the 12,300ft runway before finally lifting off into darkened skies at 6.45pm (12.45am GMT).

Crammed into a 7.7ft cockpit and surrounded by bottles of high protein milkshakes to sustain him during the 80-hour flight, Mr Fossett, 60, slowly but steadily climbed to 39,000ft as he approached Lake Michigan. He was expected to reach his cruising altitude of 50,000ft after hitching a ride on the jet stream 12 hours into the flight.At mission control, in the Salina campus of Kansas State University, the 45 ground crew were clearly anxious as the £1.5 million tri-fusalage aircraft sped down the runway and passed the point of no return.

There were fears that because most of the aircraft’s 21,800lb (10,000kg) bulk was highly flammable aviation fuel, the slightest spark could turn it into a fireball. It was the first time that it had taken to the skies with a full load of fuel.

Before take-off, Mr Fossett, who holds 62 world records in five sports, said: “It will be very scary to take off in a plane this heavy. There is very little margin for things like turbulence and tail winds.”

The main threats will be possible technical failure, exhaustion and turbulence.

If successful, Mr Fossett will break several aviation records, including the longest time flying non-stop.

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