Blue Sky Network Supplies Steve Fossett with Global Satellite Communications Link for Attempt at Longest Non-Stop Solo Flight

Blue Sky Network Supplies Steve Fossett with Global Satellite Communications Link for Attempt at Longest Non-Stop Solo Flight

Steve Fossett Set to Break New Record with the Support of BSN’s Satellite Based
Flight Tracking, Voice, Mapping and Telemetry Solutions

LA JOLLA, Calif. – Feb. 6, 2006 – Blue Sky Network (BSN), the global logistics solution provider for two-way linking and managing aviation assets via satellite, today announced its continuing support of Steve Fossett in his current attempt to set a record for the longest non-stop solo flight around the world. Blue Sky Network will supply all the satellite communications capability on the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, the revolutionary lightweight jet aircraft in which Fossett will attempt to fly over 700 miles further than any aircraft or balloon has flown without landing.

The primary equipment supplied by Blue Sky Network consists of a D-1000 mobile tracking and telemetry terminal with embedded GPS. Separate voice equipment will also allow Fossett to keep in touch with technical support and mission control personnel on the ground. The Blue Sky Network unit will also provide telemetry data to mission control on critical operating parameters from the aircraft.

Blue Sky Network’s website – www.blueskynetwork.com/globalflyer – will provide near real-time tracking of the flight to allow people to follow Fossett’s progress. Featuring the interactive SkyRouter Web portal, the website will contain updates and details of the record attempt.

“Blue Sky Network’s satellite voice, tracking and data solution is a great operational asset for this flight in terms of safety, efficiency and peace of mind,” said Steve Fossett. “I can easily say that having BSN global satellite communications equipment and solutions will be a critical part of our success.”

“Once again, we are pleased to be part of Steve Fossett’s pursuit of history-making feats,” said Jon Gilbert, president and CEO of Blue Sky Network. “This Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer flight is another great opportunity to showcase the global coverage and strong features of the D-1000 and SkyRouter Web portal. We are honored to support Steve’s landmark flight by providing him this solution for flight tracking, voice and data communications.”

In February 2005, Blue Sky Network supplied the Iridium D-1000 satellite terminal and a voice channel on Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer for Steve Fossett’s successful first-ever solo, non-stop flight around the world. The BSN equipment transmitted more than 4000 consecutive transition reports over 60 hours without failure.

About Steve Fossett
Steve Fossett is well known for his record-breaking adventures in balloons, sailboats, gliders and powered aircraft. He is a pilot of exceptional breadth of experience—from his tenacious quest to become the first person to achieve a solo balloon flight around the world (finally succeeding on his 6th attempt in 2002) to setting, with co-pilot Terry Delore, ten of the 19 Glider Open records, including the Longest Straight Distance, the first 2,000 km Out-and-Return and the first 1,500 km Triangle flights. His achievements as a jet pilot in a Citation X include records for U.S. Transcontinental, Australia Transcontinental, and Round-the-World Westbound non-supersonic flights. In 2002 Fossett received aviation’s highest award, the Gold Medal of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI). Last year Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo, nonstop around the world in the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer.

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