Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Hot Air Balloonist Nears Chile on Solo Trip Around the World

Aired August 13, 2001 - 08:15   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: Steve Fossett, the balloonist who just won't give up, is nearing the halfway mark now in his trip. Fossett wants to become the first person to fly a hot air balloon around the world solo.

Well, his flight director Kevin Stass is tracking the Fossett -- tracking Fossett's flight -- try to say that three times fast -- from headquarters in St. Louis.

Good morning, Mr. Stass, where is he right now?

KEVIN STASS, SOLO SPIRIT FLIGHT DIRECTOR: Hi, Colleen, he's about 800 nautical miles east of Easter Island heading towards Chile.

MCEDWARDS: How's he doing? I hear he was having trouble with his oxygen mask at one point.

STASS: Well, yes, I mean it's difficult to go such a long way and have to breathe oxygen in all the time, but he's maybe a little bit uncomfortable at some times, but I think he seems to be coping with it.

MCEDWARDS: Now you're in mission control, describe what you've got around you and what kind of gear and equipment you have to communicate with him, track his progress, watch the weather, that kind of thing.

STASS: Well, we're in -- we're in Washington -- the University of Washington in St. Louis and we've got computers here which can talk to the capsule. We're communicating via e-mail sat, which is a satellite link and it comes through an e-mail form. So the actual communication with the capsule is via the printed word, which helps us because it means that we don't have to keep waking Steve up and he can communicate to us when he wants to. And the system on board the balloon is set to send position reports every hour so that's done automatically.

MCEDWARDS: And what are the conditions like in his balloon for him?

STASS: Well, obviously they're a bit cramped. It's a fairly small living condition but he's got a -- well, he's got a seat and a desk and a book so he's got things to do I guess. MCEDWARDS: All right, Kevin Stass, thanks so much for that update. We will keep track as he tries to get around the world his fifth try.

CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: I hope he makes it this time.

MCEDWARDS: Hope so.

LIN: Feel sorry for him.

MCEDWARDS: He's got a great team.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com