Will Set Off From Le Bourget With Trusty Great Dane

Frederick P. Furth aims to establish a new distinction for the very-light-jet category. He is scheduled to set off from the Paris Air Show Thursday, on a round-the-world flight in his new Cessna Citation Mustang.

Cessna tells ANN that following last-minute clearance to enter Russian airspace, Furth -- accompanied by his faithful Great Dane "Brandenburg" -- will set off at 0800 Thursday from Paris Le Bourget Airport, on a 14,000 nautical mile marathon flight that will see them cover 15 stops in eight days.

After making their first stop in Warsaw, Poland, Furth will fly across the entire breadth of Russia, landing for fuel and rest in locations including Moscow, Eketeringsburg and Novosibrisk. They will then make stops in Alaska, Canada and Iceland before returning to Le Bourget.

Furth -- who rose to prominence as a leading class action lawyer and owns California's Chalk Hill Vineyards and Winery -- has been an avid pilot for many years, and also owns a Citation X and Cessna Caravan. He took delivery of his Mustang a month ago, and has since amassed 80 hours flying time in the aircraft.

"The Mustang is a great aircraft for single pilot operation and I felt this would be the ultimate way to test its mettle," said Furth. "I have a close relationship with Cessna going back many years and I know they will be watching our progress with great interest."

FMI: www.cessna.com, www.furth.com