Pilot(s) name(s) First name: Forest Surname: Ward Nationality: USA
Other crew/passengers who completed the full circumnavigation:
First name: Robert Surname: Martin Nationality: USA
Nation: USA
Class of Aircraft: (single, twin, homebuilt, helicopter, ultra light, balloon.) Twin Brand: (i.e.: Beechcraft): Piper Model: (i.e.: Bonanza): Aerostar Type: (i.e. A35): 601P Name of aircraft if any (ie. Spirit of the Wind, or whatever): Registration: N601P Route (Eastbound, Westbound, via the Poles): Westbound How did you cross the Atlantic Ocean (North, Centre, South)? Center How did you cross the Pacific Ocean (North, Centre, South)? North Date of departure: August 16, 2011 Point of departure: Norfolk, VA Date of return to point of departure: September 3, 2011 Point of return: Norfolk, VA Duration: (days): 18 Duration: (flying hours): 137 Distance flown: 24,766 NM (assming direct route)
How many overnight stops did you make? : KGTF, PACD, PADK(4 nights), RJNA, VRMM (5 nights), FSIA, FOOL, GOOY, LPAZ How many any additional refuelling stops, if any? : No fuel at RJCC, had fuel shipped to VRMM, had to return to VCBI for fuel. How many countries did you visit (count only where overnighted)? : 8
Means of communication used: HF Radio, sat telephone, e-mail by HF radio, other? : HF, MLX-770 Email Did you use any satellite tracking system? Which one ? Flight clearances: did you obtain them all, or part of them, yourself? : No If not, which company did you use?: Skyplan ltd, Cagary, canada and Peter Ins (Japan) Which insurance company did you use? : C S & A Insurance Which was the easiest country or region that you flew through? : Japan Which was the most difficult? : IAfrica Which was the best airport you landed at? : St John (CYYT) Which was the worst? : Libreville, Gabon (FOOL), awful place, creepy, would not go back willingly. Have you applied for the FAI Circumnavigator Badge/Are you thinking of doing so? : Thinking 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? http://www.RaceAgainstPolio.com
General remarks about your flight:
Great adventure, Expect to spent a lot more money that budgeted.
Bring at least $1500 cash for each stop/night in addition to the fuel cost. You will need it until you do and there is no substitute for cash.
Ensure the bills are in good shape, some places won't accept even a slightly torn bill. Bring $100s, $50s and 2\$20s; assume no one will be able to make change, ever.
Bring your own pump and a filter funnel.
Anywhere you are being filled from a barrel, personally make sure the barrel is empty before switching to the next barrel; the fuel guys will quit early if allowed.
Do not expect ATC to be up to USstandards, even with an HF, there will be significant periods when ATC is not reacheable.
Use a flight plannong company; it is worth the cost to have someone (else) to help solve problems.
make sure you and your companion can maintain a sense of humor under stress, it will be you against the world at times, and those are the times when you will need to be able to rely on your companion tje most.
Don't do the trip alone.
See website Blog for detailed description of trip.
Advice to other pilots:
Wear uniform in Africa
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