Virgin pilots offered galactic gig

[Yada Yada]

Virgin pilots offered galactic gig
June 6, 2006 - 5:18PM

Pilots from low-cost airline Virgin Blue have been invited to apply to train as astronauts with Virgin Galactic.

Virgin Galactic aims to have 30 astronaut pilots by the launch of its space program in 2008.

Half the astronauts will be recruited from NASA and the others from the Virgin airline group, which also includes Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Nigeria, Virgin Express and Virgin America.

Virgin Blue today announced two of its pilots may be chosen to undertake a 27-month secondment to train as astronaut pilots.

Richard Branson, the president of Virgin Blue and chairman of Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Galactic, said he was thrilled to involve Virgin Blue and Australia in the initiative.

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I always thought this whole "galactic" thing was an elaborate publicity stunt. Maybe not. It seems bizarre nonetheless.

 

[aus_flyer]

I always thought this whole "galactic" thing was an elaborate publicity stunt. Maybe not. It seems bizarre nonetheless.

Check out www.virgingalactic.com

 

[Yada Yada]

Check out www.virgingalactic.com

LMAO!!! Priceless stuff. The VSS Enterprise no less!

LIFT OFF
Your journey out of this world begins not on the launch pad like a conventional space rocket but on a runway. Virgin Galactic craft are carried under a mother ship to almost 10 miles above sea level. Then the countdown begins.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1.....the VSS Enterprise, your spaceship, is released from the mother ship. Almost immediately, as your astronaut pilot ignites the engine, you will hear the roar of the rocket behind you as the enormous power accelerates you at 4G to a speed faster than a bullet.

All the time, the ergonomic design of the seats will keep you comfortable.

But the big question remains unanswered... will I be able to recline??? :mrgreen:

 

[shutterslide]

I wonder how many Virgin frequent flyer points you'd need

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I think initially it was offered for 1 million or so. I doubt it will stay at that level once they begin flying.

(To clarify - that is Virgin Atlantic points, not Virgin Blue.)

 

[simongr]

Hmm US$200,000 per ticket. Damn that's a little out of my reach.

Just thinking about the 1,000,000 points requirement - if that was say AA points - that same 1,000,000 points could get you 6 round the world tickets in busness class at say US$9000 each - which makes them worth US$54,000 - slightly cheaper US$200,000 i think

 

[oz_mark]

I think initially it was offered for 1 million or so. I doubt it will stay at that level once they begin flying.

Poking aroiund the web seems to indicate the 2 million points is the go. e.g. United Press International - NewsTrack - London man uses air miles for space trip

 

[cssaus]

How many points does one earn on a paid flight?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

How many points does one earn on a paid flight?

Zero? You return to where you took off from.

 

[NM]

Zero? You return to where you took off from.

Unless you pay for the flight with a points/miles earning credit card .

 

[cssaus]

Zero? You return to where you took off from.

But why would that be different to any RTW itinerary where you would also typically end up back where you started

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

But why would that be different to any RTW itinerary where you would also typically end up back where you started

Difference is a RTW is more than one flight.

 

[NM]

But why would that be different to any RTW itinerary where you would also typically end up back where you started

Its a single segment with a single "flight" number. FF mileage is measured as distance from origin to destination by shortest distance.