Steve Fossett Plaza

From the airfield here at Salina, aviator and adventurer Steve Fossett launched one of the great flights in aviation history. On the last day of February in two thousand five, he lifted off in a sleek, fuel-heavy aircraft called the GlobalFlyer.

Sixty-seven hours later, he set it back down right here, having become the first person ever to fly solo around the world without stopping and without refueling. The plane, built by the legendary designer Burt Rutan, carried thirteen tanks of fuel and circled the globe in less than three days. Fossett shattered records for speed and distance along the way. A restless millionaire who chased sailing, ballooning, and flying records, he vanished on a small flight over Nevada in two thousand seven. This plaza marks where his historic circle of the planet began and ended.