Airborne search from Flying M Ranch extended with new high-resolution imaging to begin Sunday
Team hopeful that new high-resolution images will reveal whereabouts of Steve's aircraft
Computer analysis and anomaly search techniques being employed
Update 19 October 2007, Nevada USA: As early winter weather begins to descend on the rugged high country of northwestern Nevada, the search for aviator Steve Fossett, missing since September 3rd, continues from the Flying M Ranch (near Yearington, NV) with an important extension to the privately funded and directed effort planned for the coming week. This will include the use of high altitude digital mapping technology linked with computer analysis and anomaly search techniques.
Rotary and fixed wing aircraft as well as ground personnel are still in place to run down leads and theories as they emerge. And although visual, infrared and hyper-spectral analysis of large areas have all generated specific leads over the past 6 weeks (as have radar trace and satellite image analyses), all have so far failed to reveal any sign of Steve's Bellanca Super Decathlon single-engine aircraft. Additionally, side scan sonar searches of the several area lakes have now been completed.
While satellite generated images such as those from Google Earth (at a resolution up to 1 meter pixel size) are well able to see an intact aircraft (or large aircraft sections / elements), the members of the ranch-based search team are now looking to analyze much higher resolution images, potentially revealing debris or a forced landing / crash site. Using a dedicated jet aircraft, the High Altitude Mapping Missions (HAMM) photography expected to begin this Sunday (21 October) will generate an image with a pixel size of 6 inches (approx 15 cms), many times more detailed than standard satellite images.
Flying at approximately 20,000 feet AGL over the mountainous terrain, the HAMM aircraft will photograph 800 sq. miles per hour or about 2000 sq. miles per day. Limiting factors will be essentially seasonal ones: increased cloud cover and low solar angle - with the sun getting lower in the sky every day. However, searchers believe that weather will be favorable from Sunday through Friday next week.
Initial missions are planned for the Sierra Nevada and White Mountain areas as winter snows will cover them first. Then the mapping will move to lower ground south of the ranch and east of the Sierra Nevadas, including into Death Valley and the Owens River valley along Highway 395. Mission flight paths are being determined by analysis of a Geographical Information System (GIS) map incorporating all known GPS traces from the aircraft involved in the private part of the search, plus data received from the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Army and Air National Guard and US Air Force search efforts.
Analysis of the HAMM data will be done initially by Fireball International via a network of computers, with anomalies to be sorted by shape (searching for straight lines, etc), color (especially the bright blue part of the aircraft's fabric cover) and reflection / shine - or a combination of any and all these elements. Then SAR experienced personnel will review these leads to prioritize further - with helicopter, fixed wing and ground assets available to be mobilized to get eyes on each potential target.
Ongoing air and ground resources deployed
Update 4 October 2007: Despite a concerted weekend effort by Nevada CAP and ground teams, no sign of Steve has emerged. New analysis of radar traces had pointed to a 100 sq mi area SE of the ranch, but ground searchers found nothing. Authorities stated they would follow up leads as they appear. Meanwhile, the ranch based private effort continues as described below.
Team thanks all for best wishes
26 September 2007, Nevada, USA - Air and ground-based search activities continue from the Flying M Ranch base in an effort to find Steve Fossett or signs of his aircraft, missing since September 3rd.
The ranch-based team are using photography from fixed wing aircraft with helicopter and ground-based SAR follow-up. Technology being employed includes airborne hyper spectral imaging - which shows disturbed earth / impact sites plus man-made objects as well as different elements not visible to the human eye.
As likely targets are found they are investigated either by helicopter and / or ground reconnaissance. Additionally, side scan sonar is still being used in the surrounding lakes. Fixed wing aircraft from the Flying M are also still actively searching farther out into surrounding areas, with ground SAR units ready to follow up.
On behalf of the entire Steve Fossett team, we would like to thank everyone who has written to the office and the website over these past three weeks to share their prayers and kind wishes for Steve's safe return. In addition, we thank everyone participating in the search via the Amazon Mechanical Turk / Google Earth initiative.
Search continues with Army and Air National Guard helicopters plus Flying M Ranch based private aircraft
18 September 2007 - Nevada, USA - Although the CAP have announced a scaling back of their fixed wing search, Army and Air National Guard helicopters as well as over a dozen privately funded aircraft based at the Flying M Ranch air resort continue the effort to find missing aviator Steve Fossett, who failed to return from a pleasure flight on Monday, September 3rd.
Despite mounting odds as the search enters its third week, the mood at the remote air resort remains positive. The Flying M team (which yesterday comprised 8 helicopters and 5 fixed wing aircraft, including some equipped with infrared and other spectrum analysis assets flying up to 24 hours a day) are flying out each day to methodically work their assigned sectors of the search grid, flying as low as possible. These private aircraft are acting in close coordination with the military helicopters as they comb the rugged and mountainous high desert, looking for signs of Steve's Super Decathlon light aircraft or of a crash site.
New images on Amazon Mechanical Turk / Google Earth being added
Fossett team personnel from multiple projects involved
15 September 2007 - Nevada, USA - The search for Steve Fossett continues on its 12th full day with CAP aircraft from Minden, Nevada and Bishop, California, the Air National Guard from Reno, plus Army National Guard helicopters and private aircraft (8 helicopters and 5 fixed wing) based at the Flying M Ranch scouring the high desert and mountainous terrain for signs of Steve's plane or a crash site.
New even higher resolution images and new swathes have been added to the Amazon Mechanical Turk KML overlay (Click for link on how to take part) on an almost daily basis for the continued and renewed perusal of thousands of pairs of eyes around the world.
In addition to the many dedicated volunteers and military personnel involved from the CAP, Guard and other levels, plus the friends of Steve and the Flying M mentioned earlier, personnel from many of Steve's adventure projects also remain involved in the search efforts.
The many offers of helicopter and trained SAR observers in response to our call last week are being coordinated by Eric Ahlstrom of the LSR team, with Steve's submersible project personnel working to filter and prioritize the tens of thousands of MTurk responses before passing on to ground and air teams. In addition, the submersible team engineers are providing a regular interface for search planners with both Google Earth and Amazon Mechanical Turk's management and operational staff as everyone strives to establish useful procedures to best exploit this new technology application. Additional volunteer supporters and crew from Steve's LSR, sub, aviation and sailing programs have also been directly involved in the search both on the ground and as air observers.
search for Steve Fossett enters its second week
Searchers believe he is down within 50 mile radius of base
The Bellanca Super Decathlon Steve Fossett was flying on Monday
It is now believed that Steve Fossett was unlikely to have ventured far afield (such as crossing the Sierra Nevada range), but that he was more likely to have been on a local pleasure flight - and that he probably was not surveying sites for the upcoming landspeed record project.
Based on Steve's known movements, plans and the aircraft's capabilities, the search is now primarily focused on a 30 - 50 mile radius of the ranch, with some members of the search team convinced he is even closer.
The aircraft's last confirmed position on Monday (3 September) at approximately 10:30 A.M. local time showed Steve west of Powell Canyon (south of Walker Lake and southwest of Hawthorne), proceeding east towards the canyon. This location is less than 30 miles SE from his point of departure / expected arrival. Steve was expected to return to the ranch around 11:00 - 11:30 AM. Although the Super Decathlon is capable of good performance at sea level, the predicted aircraft speed and climb rate must be adjusted down for the density altitude of this area in summer
Peggy Fossett's thanks for support
(updated Monday 10 September 2007) - Nevada, USA - The following statement was read to reporters yesterday on behalf of Steve Fossett's wife Peggy:
"The search for Steve Fossett is intense, thorough, and highly professional. I am certain that, under no other circumstances, would it be possible to assemble a better, more experienced and organized team, both on site and off. This is an incredible collaboration between military, law enforcement and civilian expertise. The outpouring of help from around the world has been extraordinary. More than anything else, Steve Fossett believes in achieving success through calculated, meticulous planning and organization and it is that spirit which permeates this team. Our hopes are high and I am confident of a successful resolution to this search.
Deepest, sincere thanks to Barron Hilton, his staff, and all of the staff of the Flying M Ranch for their tireless energy and incredible support in the search for Steve. Thanks also to Tom Schrade and the Grand Sierra Hotel in Reno for their tactical, logistical and organizational contributions. I am indebted to the numerous friends who have come from around the world to serve as pilots, spotters, and ground crew and who are giving genuine moral support during this difficult time.
Special thanks to Gov. Jim Gibbons of Nevada, along with the Civil Air Patrols of Nevada and California for their ongoing contributions of assets and tireless, round-the-clock support. We are sincerely grateful to Tim Evinger, sheriff of Klamath County, Ore., and his dive team who not only provided total support for the underwater search of Walker Lake, but also tremendous, ongoing organizational skills. Steve’s pilot, Mark Marshall, is an awesome coordinator of flight operations. Pilots Mike Gilles, Rick Raines, Dick Rutan, Dennis Ivans, and Hannes Linke, as well as Maverick Helicopters, have also been invaluable.
On behalf of our family, we are indebted to the hundreds of friends and volunteers who are looking for, and the millions around the world who are praying for Steve’s safe return."
Peggy Fossett
Sept. 10, 2007
OVER 20 AIRCRAFT SEARCH FOR STEVE FOSSETT ON SIXTH DAY OF DISAPPEARANCE
Internet based satellite image search begins
Nevada, USA - 8 September 2007 - Multiple air and ground searches for aviator Steve Fossett, missing since Monday afternoon, continue today, with some two dozen aircraft and ground teams participating. The Civil Air Patrol are continuing to cover an expanded (10,000 square mile) search area based from Minden airport while intensive 'low and slow' helicopter operations continue closer to the Flying M Ranch, Steve's point of departure. Thermal-image detection equipped National Guard aircraft have been flying at night as well.
New satellite images are also enabling internet-based anaysis by individuals hoping to help. The project is an 'Amazon Mechanical Turk' based effort with recent images from GeoEye, supplier of many images to Google Earth. Please see:
http://www.mturk.com/mturk/preview?groupId=9TSZK4G35XEZJZG21T60&kw=Flash
for details how individuals can help review specific search areas.
Teams from the ad hoc 'Flying M air force' based at the ranch itself, cooperating closely with the Nevada Army and Air National Guards, are flying their mostly rotary wing aircraft as low as possible - in many cases within 30 feet of treetop level, in order to find the missing airman.
The ranch-based team is being coordinated by Fossett's staff pilot Mark Marshall with Rick Rains plus key personnel from the Flying M (an airsport-oriented resort located 80 miles southeast of Reno) including Hannes Linke, director of the 'Barron Hilton Cup' gliding competition. Volunteer and charter helicopters (and pilots and observers) have come from throughout the western USA and the recently completed Reno Balloon Races.
Fossett took off on Monday morning at 0845 on what was expected to be a short 2 to 2-1/2 hour pleasure flight in the Flying M Hunting Club's Super Decathlon light single, planning to return in time to depart the Flying M with his wife in his own aircraft at midday.
At least 6 old aircraft wrecks - including 3 previously un-charted - have already been found, adding to the confidence of the teams that their efforts can identify aircraft forced down in the rugged high desert.
Search Continues into Friday
Nevada, USA - 7 September 2007 - The search for downed aviator Steve Fossett, whose light aircraft failed to return to its western Nevada ranch base on Monday, both broadened and intensified through Thursday night and into Friday.
The C-130 of the Air National Guard from Reno continued its sorties across an increasing search area, including throughout the night using infrared detection equipment; the Nevada Civil Air Patrol flying from Minden airport expanded their total search territory to an area of some 10,000+ square miles; plus a growing squadron of approximately 10 - 12 helicopters from volunteers, chartered aircraft and the Army National Guard flew from the Flying M Ranch on a 'low and slow' search of mountainous terrain within a 50-80 nm radius of the ranch, made both difficult and physically demanding because of strong ground turbulence.
Additional volunteer helicopter observers coming from the pilot ranks of the just-completed Reno Balloon Races as well as from the Fossett LSR, Cheyenne sailing and other Steve Fossett projects were arriving at the Flying M throughout Friday to lend their assistance.
Fine Weather, Excellent Visibility as Aircraft Take Off at Dawn
Nevada, USA - 5 September 2007 - The search for Steve Fossett resumed this morning. Major Cynthia Ryan of the Civil Air Patrol advised at her 10:00 a.m. (local time) news briefing that at least 9 aircraft (6 fixed wing and 3 helicopters) had taken off some 3 hours earlier in improved weather conditions. High winds had forced the search to halt late Tuesday afternoon. According to Major Ryan, one of the search aircraft is fitted with sophisticated hyperspectral imaging equipment, capable of electronically recognizing and distinguishing ground objects.
The systematic grid search is now focused on a 600 square mile area south of the Flying M Ranch along the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains - from Yerington, Nevada to Bishop, California as well as along the Walker River basin.
We continue to receive many messages of support and prayer from all over the world and thank everyone for their concern, sharing our optimism that Steve will soon be found safe and well.
STEVE FOSSETT MISSING IN LIGHT AIRCRAFT
4 September 2007 - Sparks, Nevada, USA - American adventurer Steve Fossett was reported missing on Monday after failing to return to an airstrip at a southern Nevada ranch while piloting a light aircraft. He was flying solo. Aircraft and ground teams are searching the areas of his likely course.
Steve took off from the Flying M Ranch (near Yerington, NV) of friend and fellow aviation enthusiast Barron Hilton in a single engine Citabria Super Decathlon mid-morning Monday. When he failed to return to base by late afternoon the alarm was raised and the search was initiated.
We would like to express our thanks to everyone for their ongoing concern for the safety of Steve Fossett and for their many messages of support we have received since his aircraft has been reported missing.
We will update the status of the search as more information becomes available.
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