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.

FMI:  www.globaleagle.co.uk