The Region - News from Nov. 7, 1986

Grounded five weeks ago when a propeller snapped during a test flight, the experimental Voyager aircraft has new props and may take off on its unprecedented unrefueled flight around the world by the end of the month. Peter Rive, a spokesman for the Mojave-based project, said test flights may be resumed by next week, and pilots Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager hope to take off before winter weather begins along their route. If the plane is unable to take off during favorable weather conditions, the mission would have to be scrubbed until next year, Riva said. The fragile-looking aircraft is virtually a flying fuel tank, carrying nearly 9,000 pounds of fuel when fully loaded. It cruises at about 65 m.p.h., and the pilots are equipped with special earphones to help them deal with the shattering noise of the nearby engines.