div class="n12"> Pilot(s) name(s)
First name: Andy
Surname: Hopper
Nationality: UK


Class of Aircraft: (single, twin, homebuilt, helicopter, ultra light, balloon.) Single
Brand: (i.e.: Beechcraft): Cessna
Model: (i.e.: Bonanza): Centurion
Type: (i.e. A35): T210
Name of aircraft if any (ie. Spirit of the Wind, or whatever):
Registration: G-SEEK
Route (Eastbound, Westbound, via the Poles): Westbound (from UK via New Zealand)
How did you cross the Atlantic Ocean (North, Centre, South)? Centre
How did you cross the Pacific Ocean (North, Centre, South)? South
Date of departure: 31/12/2008
Point of departure: Little Shelford, Cambridegshire, UK
Date of return to point of departure: 14/9/2009
Point of return: Little Shelford, Cambridegshire, UK
Duration: (days): 38
Duration: (flying hours): 186 hours on the outbound and return legs to/from New Zealand
Distance flown: 26 315 on the outbound and return legs to/from New Zealand. (I was based in NZ for 69 days (36 hiurs of local flights) but that was nor really part of ther RTW flight).


How many overnight stops did you make? : 38
How many any additional refuelling stops, if any? :
How many countries did you visit (count only where overnighted)? : 15
Means of communication used: HF Radio, sat telephone, e-mail by HF radio, other? : HF, Iridium
Did you use any satellite tracking system? Which one ? Yellow box tracker
Flight clearances: did you obtain them all, or part of them, yourself? : No
If not, which company did you use?: White Rose
Which insurance company did you use? : Besso
Which was the easiest country or region that you flew through? : Singapore, Chile, Cook Islands, NZ
Which was the most difficult? : Middle East ( lots of clearances, some only good for 24 hours), Australia ( security pass).
Which was the best airport you landed at? : Seletar , Singapore
Which was the worst? : Istambul Sabiha Gokcen (ridiculous Avgas price at $6/litre and high handling charges), Luxor (Avgas at $4,60/litre and high handling charges).
Have you applied for the FAI Circumnavigator Badge/Are you thinking of doing so? : Not yet, but will do so.
Have you set or broken any records during your RTW? : No
Did you create a Website about your flight? If so, what is the URL? None

General remarks about your flight:
Westbound is pretty good because one ca fly during daylight hours and go to bed at night. It is easy to get up in the morning because of the time change each day.
I hardly went into a cloud and mostly had helpful (trade) tailwinds of about 10 knots at 10m 000 feet. Albeir flown IFR the approaches were essentially visual.


Advice to other pilots:
There were no problems obtaining Avgas although occasionally it was expensive ( and sometimes cheap) compared to the UK. At Easter island it had to be ordered sevral months ahead of time.
As ever try and check the price of fuel and handling before each flight to avoid surprises.
If problems arise do not hassle, smile and people respond admirably!


Please indicate here if you agree that we may use the information contained here on the Earthrounders website: Yes


Database Flight Number: 370