D A W S O N P R & EVENTS
Consultant to Clifden Chamber and Vimy Atlantic
+ 353 86 827 9380 rdawson@eircom.net
NEWS RELEASE
‘Yesterday I was in America, and I am the first man in Europe
to say that…’ John Alcock
Aviator Steve Fossett and Co-Pilot Navigator Mark Rebholz Complete Historic
Transatlantic Crossing from Newfoundland to Clifden on 3 July 2005
The Vickers Vimy departed St. John’s International Airport, Newfoundland
at 10.52 pm Irish time, Saturday, 2nd July, 2005, for its historic transatlantic
crossing, and landing safely on Sunday 3rd July at 5.05pm at the Connemara
Championship Golf Links in Clifden, County Galway.
Piloted by renowned aviator Steve Fossett, and co-pilot and navigator,
Mark Rebholz, the Vimy has successfully re-created the historic first
non-stop transatlantic flight by John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown
in 1919.
The gruelling flight in the wooden and canvas Vimy Vickers began with
a take-off into strong winds following a brief press conference. A crowd
of approximately one thousand saw the Vimy off from historic Signal
Hill as it left St. John’s Harbor on its reenactment of this great
event in aviation history.
They began their journey in dense fog and heavy cloud cover, and strong
winds. Like Alcock and Brown they were fortunate enough to have tailwinds
behind them which meant they were traveling at c.100mph, considerably
faster than was anticipated at 65mph. Mid Atlantic they lost the tail
wind, and slowed down only to brace themselves for the SW gale force
off the Connemara coast. Most of their trip was under cloud as they
could only fly up to 5000ft, and averaged 2, 500 ft so it was hard to
navigate at times. They finally saw sky in the last 5 hours as they
approached the Connemara coastline. The open cockpit meant it was also
an endurance test, and they met heavy rain showers. It was so windy
at times that both Fossett and Rebholz struggled to keep the plane upright.
Upon arrival, Mark said the main sensation was one of relief. Steve
Fossett referred to Alcock and Brown, saying ‘They took more chances
than we did. I was very impressed that they didn’t really have
a very good idea of the weather. We were doing if not what you would
call a safe flight, then at least a flight that was under control with
acceptable risk.’
The Vimy had previously completed the first two legs of the “Vimy
Triple Crown”, historic flights that helped demonstrate the viability
of commercial aviation, by successfully flying the 15,000 mile route
from England to Australia in 1994, and the 9,000 mile journey from London
to Cape Town in 1999. The Vimy bi-plane has touched down in over 30
countries during her epic flights and even endured an engine failure
and crash-landing in Sumatra, Indonesia.
Owner of the plane,Peter McMillan; “From an ambitious dream in
1993, Wherever she has travelled, she radiates the spirit of the pioneers
of aviation and reminds us all that adventure leads the path to progress.
Seeing the sunrise on the hills of Ireland will be her crowning moment.”
About Steve Fossett: Steve Fossett is perhaps the world’s best
known adventurer, holding current world records in five sports –
balloons, sailboats, gliders, airships and powered aircraft. Steve’s
extraordinary 67 hour flight in March 2005 in Virgin Atlantic Global
Flyer – the first solo non-stop round the world aircraft flight
makes a unique match for his equally remarkable 2002 Bud Light Spirit
of Freedom, the first solo round the world balloon flight. In 2002,
Steve received aviation’s highest award, the Gold Medal of the
Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI).
About Mark Rebholz: Co-pilot and Navigator Mark Rebholz is a long standing
member of the Vimy team, having piloted many of the Vimy’s previous
flights. Mark is responsible for all flight related activities, including
flight planning, clearances, meteorology, and navigation. Mark was chief
test pilot for the Vimy’s FAA certification, and has over 20,000
flying hours, 4,500 of which are in 24 different vintage-type aircraft.
Mark is currently a Boeing 747 Captain for United Airlines.
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For further information please contact:
Rosemary Dawson at rdawson@eircom.net or 086 827 9380