Around The World In 80 Hours

Circumnavigation

  • Summary

    Many people have expressed interest in doing a similar circumnavigation themselves so we decided to summarize the things we would do differently and mention what we thought worked well. With regards to aircraft equipment, an autopilot would have been very useful and the highest priority. A stormscope and a panel mounted HF radio would have Continue reading

  • Part 13: Darwin To Brisbane Then Caloundra 1575nm

    Part 13: Darwin To Brisbane Then Caloundra 1575nm

    25th August 1998. The forecast showed clear skies all the way to Brisbane with a 10 knot headwind for the first 90 minutes. As we were light, we climbed initially to FL270 then FL290. This required continuous flow on the oxygen as we were not getting sufficient saturation above FL210 with the automatic system. The Continue reading

  • Part 12: Phuket To Darwin 2299nm

    23rd August 1998. Delayed again on departure due runway works until 0800 but once airborne, we climbed to FL250. As the day progressed, the CB clouds surrounded us, requiring many track deviations. We didn’t see Kuala Lumpur or Singapore due cloud. Once in Indonesian airspace, the cloud dissipated and we saw Timor clearly. On arrival Continue reading

  • Part 11: Muscat To Phuket 2482nm

    21st August 1998. The wake up call came at 0145 local time. The forecast had 20 knots headwind average and monsoonal weather from India all the way to Phuket.  This long sector with expected weather diversions convinced us to fly lean of peak to arrive with a required alternate for Phuket.  The formalities with customs, Continue reading

  • Part 10: Larnaca To Muscat 1454nm

    Part 10: Larnaca To Muscat 1454nm

    19th August 1998. We departed from our Hotel at 0500 to ensure on time arrivals over various FIR boundaries. We were given quite a run around by various officials for landing charges, customs clearance & obtaining Met & Notam information. We suspect we would have taken even longer if we weren’t wearing Captain uniforms! We Continue reading

  • Part 9: Ciampino To Larnaca 1072nm

    Part 9: Ciampino To Larnaca 1072nm

    17th August 1998. Flavio drove us to L’Aquila this morning to pick up our aircraft. We flew back to Ciampino to flight plan , clear customs and pay our landing fees. We started the engine and requested a taxi clearance to be told we had a 3 hour delay! We shut down & went back Continue reading

  • Part 8: Bern To Ciampino 377nm

    Part 8: Bern To Ciampino 377nm

    13th August 1998. After spending our rest day walking around the beautiful old city of Bern and swimming in the river Aare in heatwave conditions, we noted a high overcast had set in. The cloud was on the top of the Alps so after receiving an improving terminal area forecast for Florence & Cavok for Continue reading

  • Part 7: Shannon To Bern 724nm

    Part 7: Shannon To Bern 724nm

    11th August 1998. After a week of touring Ireland, we woke to the sound of light rain. We were staying at a Bed & Breakfast home close to Shannon with the owners being aviation enthusiasts. We learnt quite a lot about the Flying Boat history at Shannon prior to the runway being built. Their daughter Continue reading

  • Part 6: Bangor To Shannon 2354nm

    Part 6: Bangor To Shannon 2354nm

    5th August 1998. After obtaining the latest Notams and weather, we set course over the tower at 0624 local time with the aim of setting three new speed records. At long last we were expecting some wind assistance at these high latitudes. We both wore immersion suits up to the waist in case of ditching. Continue reading

  • Part 5: Oshkosh To Bangor 848nm

    4th August 1998. The last day of the Oshkosh Convention started with continuous rain which became heavier as the day progressed. We fitted a new cargo restraint net to avoid the expanding ferry tank pushing us forward so this sector, we half filled the bladder tank to confirm the system worked. It did work and Continue reading

About Me

A retired A330 Captain who has always remembered his General Aviation heritage.
Aerobatics, including competition, and low level training, Agricultural flying, multi engine training, Check Captain B737 and A330 put me in a position where I can mentor the new generation of Pilots with the best information to enhance their careers.

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