Steve Fossett

Here's hoping that aviation adventurer Steve Fossett is found alive in the New Mexico desert. Fossett has been missing for 5 full days now after taking off in a small aircraft on Monday. He didn't file a flight plan (not necessary for the trip he was planning to execute) and the beacons from his aircraft never reported so rescuers are currently searching a large swath of New Mexico desert looking for the proverbial needle. Adventurers like Fossett are currently the financial and inspirational drivers for bold private aviation efforts, including private spacecraft.