Since the beginning of aviation, pilots have always tried to surpass themselves, to fly further, faster and higher. A pilot often needed great determination and courage just to take-off, let alone to put his aircraft through its full paces and try to push back the frontiers of the possible. Even today, adventurers such as non-stop round-the-world balloonists Bertrand Piccard or Steve Fossett often still venture into uncharted territory.