The long-awaited launch of the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer is finally upon us— or rather, Steve Fossett is somewhere above us. BBC has an article with some details, including a note about the chase plane with a passenger of interest to our little website:

This cockpit is tight, little more than 7ft (2m) long. He will have good visibility out the side ports; radio, satellite phone and e-mail will keep him in touch with mission control and a chase plane that will occasionally follow his progress.

His good friend and sponsor Sir Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group, will be up in the air to talk to Steve and cheer him on.

I imagine that Sir Richard, the perpetual adventurer, must be quite fidgety watching someone else make the attempt and not getting to do it himself! Of course, backing the project is quite involved, but not exactly the same thing as flying solo yourself. A few more details as well:

A one-of-a-kind experimental aircraft is ready to attempt the first solo, nonstop circumnavigation of the globe without refueling. The flight is firmly slated for Monday, Feb. 28, though takeoff is still dependent on weather.

Launch of the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer from Salina, Kansas has been given a thumbs-up by officials, who have delayed the attempt since January because of bad weather locally and along the route. Liftoff of the aircraft is expected to take place between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Central Time (3-7 p.m. ET).

More news as it’s available, of course.