July 23, 2008 GA Pilots Complete Around-The-World Flight |
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By Mary Grady, Contributing editor
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 "It was a great adventure," said Thierry Pouille, president of Air Journey, this week, after his small group of GA pilots completed the company's first-ever 10-week-long, 25,000-mile trip around the world. "We're all back -- and we're doing it again!" Pouille said the company will definitely offer the tour a second time in 2009. The six aircraft on this year's trip -- a PC12, two TBMs, a Cessna Conquest, a Cessna Mustang and a Duke Turbine conversion -- all completed the journey without any major mechanical problems or other setbacks, he said. "It takes a lot of organization and preparation and office support," Pouille said, to make the trip run smoothly and on time. "But it's been a fantastic experience." Since AVweb last checked in with the group, they have flown up the east coast of Asia via Taipei, Taiwan; Seoul, South Korea; and Vladivostok, Russia; then across the Bering Sea to Anchorage, Alaska. The pilots stopped in Juneau for a cruise and ended their journey in Seattle, then each aircraft headed for home.
If such a trip sounds appealing, be prepared to spend $68,750 per person for the 2009 trip, plus an airplane registration fee of $16,500 and various other expenses. For more details from earlier legs of the trip, click here and scroll to the "Around The World" stories.
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