»Record: Around the world within 67 hours in a plane«

The billionaire adventurer, Steve Fossett, who flew his balloon around the world in 2002, has become the first person to make a solo aircraft flight around the globe without refuelling.

The 36,000 kilometre feat overcame one of the long standing challenges left in aviation. The 60-year-old also faced a number of hurdles, not the least of which was sleep deprivation. Crammed into a tiny cockpit, Mr Fossett only managed a handful of three to four minute naps over the course of his three-day journey.

And, at one stage, it looked like the circumnavigation attempt might have to be abandoned, after thousands of pounds of avgas either leaked out of the plane or were used up early in the flight, leaving Fossett with barely enough fuel to get across the Pacific.

He reported to have sustained himself on a diet of water, sports drinks and milkshakes, and yes, given his close quarters, he was forced to relieve himself into a bottle. A short time ago, Fossett's single-engine jet made a smooth landing at an airstrip in Kansas, 67 hours after he left the same airport.