86 Year Old Pilot Circumnavigates The Globe For Alzheimers

Retired dentist, Ed Galkin, aged 86, is on his 4th flight around the world starting last weekend out of the Central Jersey Regional Airport (48N) in the United States, approximately two-miles SW of the Newark Class Bravo airspace.

Mr. Galkin previously completed similar trips in 1988, 2004, and 2018 when he circumnavigated the globe with three different co-pilots. As before, he will be flying his 1975 Cessna 210L Centurion, N2160S, accompanied by Zvi Mosery aged 64, and with the mission to raise awareness and donations for Alzheimer's which has claimed the lives of loved ones. 

Mr. Galkin’s aircraft is equipped to carry an additional 160 gallons of fuel in a custom designed “fuel bladder “sometimes referred to as a ferry tank. The fact that this aircraft is a 6-seater allowed him the real estate to remove seats 3 thru 6 to fit that tank into the cabin of the aircraft.

They will be flying some really long legs, the longest will be about 2200NM, and they expect to perform about 21 landings (assuming everything goes according to plan and there are no unplanned landings). The biggest over-water crossing will be the Atlantic Ocean to the north African continent, and the Pacific Ocean from Australia, to Fiji and Hawaii before touching down in Oakland, California, and then two hops back to Manville, New Jersey. The longest flying days will be from American Samoa to Hawaii, then Hawaii to California for 14.9 and 13.5 hours respectively! 

The FlyForTheCure website is up, they’re hoping to raise $50,000, and so far have collected a smidge over $10,000. You can track their progress via RadarBox, FlightAware, or Flightradar24. As of this writing, Mr. Galkin appears to be on schedule and will have gotten well past Portugal by the time this article is published. Spread the word and check in on this inspiring journey! 

FMI: https://flyforthecure.org, https://flightaware.com