Army Pilot Plans Autogyro Record
Circumnavigating the
globe is hard enough, but one pilot is adding another bit
of excitement to the challenging trip. On Monday, a British
Army helicopter pilot described to reporters his plans to become
the first person to fly around the world in an open-cockpit
autogyro.
Warrant Officer Barry Jones, 37, aims to set a world record when
he flies more than 25,000 miles across 25 countries in three and a
half months. Jones entered the record books in February last
year when he flew 579 miles across the UK in seven hours and 23
minutes.
The father of three, based at Dishforth, North Yorkshire, plans
to leave the UK in his aircraft -- called Global Eagle -- before
the end of March. He will fly the aircraft from Farnborough,
Hampshire, and hopes to return in time for the international
airshow in July. The world record attempt was originally due to
take place last year but was postponed due to the Gulf War and the
Sars virus.
Jones, who usually flies Lynx helicopters with 9 Regiment Army
Air Corps, said: “I’m not scared about the trip at all,
I’m just really excited. It’s a chance of a lifetime,
I’m going to get to see things few people get to see and also
make a bit of aviation history.”
He added: “Gyroplanes are hugely different from flying
helicopters. They are a bit more like a motorcycle in the sky. They
are much more simple, feel very safe, stable and secure. And in the
unlikely event of an engine failure they are quite easy to land. It
is quite a romantic way to fly.”
Although his aircraft can reportedly fly at altitudes of up to
10,000ft, has a maximum speed of about 120mph and cruises at around
90mph, Jones said he would not be pushing his machine to the
limits.
“I will be flying at an average of 2,000ft above the
ground and will be doing about 80mph in order to conserve
fuel,” he said. "The longest stretch I have to fly non-stop
is 457 miles from Greenland to Iceland so I have to be sure it will
make it.”
The solo record bid will cost £200,000 ($369,180 USD),
which will be raised through donations and sponsorship. Jones also
hopes to raise some money for the Dyslexia Foundation, the NSPCC
and the Red Cross September 11 Appeal.
In February 2003, Jones, who is one of only 75 licensed
gyroplane pilots in the UK, flew his craft 579 miles from Culdrose
in Cornwall to Wick in Caithness, Scotland. The previous record of
543 miles was held by retired Wing Commander Ken Wallis, who
starred in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice flying an
autogyro.