For the Gen-X crew of an aging Aero Commander 560E, parking their bird on AeroShell Square during AirVenture was a thrill in itself. But being surrounded by, and rubbing shoulders with, dozens of other EarthRounders-pilots who share the common bond of circumnavigating the globe-was almost more than the World Flight 2000 crew could stand. "Being able to talk to Dick Rutan and ask the advice of Steve Fossett-what an awesome opportunity," says Dan Dominguez. "It's great to be motivated and inspired by people who have actually done it."
Dan and partner Chris Wall are not yet EarthRounders, but their pre-trip preparations have nonetheless sparked the imagination of dreamers and school children nationwide, and no doubt the envy and awe of many young adults with a passion for adventure.
With a departure that was scheduled for early September, World Flight 2000 will be connected live to the Internet via satellite to bring together classrooms from around the globe. Students created and run the nonprofit venture, a project of the Global Advancement Foundation, which is dedicated to promoting education with lesson plans and high-tech teacher/student involvement.
World Flight 2000 isn't out to set records. In just under four months, Chris and Dan will round the great pyramids of Egypt, cross the deserts of Arabia, fly over the majestic Himalayas, visit the holy temples of Southeast Asia and the remote islands of the Pacific, and connect with students around the world.
The pair got their first taste of adventure while still in high school. "We flew from El Paso, Texas, to Ketchikan, Alaska, in a Cessna 172," says Chris. "All we brought was our mountain bikes, a cooler, a shotgun, a change of clothes, and sleeping bags. For four-and-a-half weeks we flew around and met lots of interesting people. We had a great time."
Both college students are instrument-rated pilots. Chris is an airframe and powerplant mechanic, and Dan is a CFI. When they purchased a beat-up, worn-out Aero Commander for $15,000 with a dream of flying it around the world, many of their contemporaries scoffed. After 20 months of 14-hour days, the pair had completely stripped down and overhauled the airplane, inspecting every nut and bolt and replacing every O-ring, hydraulic hose, and fitting. "Paint stripping was absolutely the worst job," says Chris. "But whether you build an airplane yourself or have gone through as thorough a restoration as we have on the Aero Commander, you feel like we know the airplane inside and out."
The crew, which will include photographer and sponsorship coordinator Jesse Weisz at times, has complete confidence in its craft. On the longer, over-water legs, Jesse will fly commercial and carry much of the heavy computer, photography, and cinematography equipment. This will enable Dan and Chris to fill the Commander's 275-gallon auxiliary fuel tank for extra range and a margin of safety.
World Flight 2000 is asking students to be virtual copilots on the trip and to vicariously live beyond their borders. "By doing this we are trying to show kids to live out their dreams," Chris says. "No matter how big or small. We invite them to dare to dream and have the courage to follow those dreams."
You can follow the progress of the World Flight 2000 crew on the web by logging on to http://www.worldflight2000.org
This article was published in October 2000 in the EAA's magazine Sport Aviation, and is reproduced here with their permission. http://www.eaa.org
