The dream of the world trip started in my head when I was a teenager, but was always pushed away for different economic, family reasons or just simply because of some fear related to such a endeavour.

My flying began in 1983 in ultralights in Romilly, France, where I obtained my ULM license. Flying low and slow, being able to feel the scents of the earth, to be able to land short just almost anyplace was just thrilling. At this time I learned on such exotic machines like Quicksilver or Weedhopper. Few years later I was informed my instructor was killed during a maiden flight with Quicksilver GT (2 axes) due to inversion of pitch controls.

In 1990 I purchased a second hand Grumman AA1A, a double seater, 118 HP, fixed pitch propeller machine. One year later, I got my PP license.

Due to his short wings the aircraft had to be constantly controlled, was rather shaky in turbulence and had a maximum endurance of only 3 hours which was hardly 300 NM. When flying with my wife the luggage allowance was barely 10kg when fully filled with avgas. But it was a great fun, so we visited many countries including Poland, Germany, Austria, Tunisia, Spain and France. Those trips gave hunger for more and that meant to change the aircraft for a truly long distance and more comfortable machine. Due to finances a new machine was out of question. After 3 years of searching I found one 1970 Piper Comanche 260C, low time, no accident, well equipped in Locarno, Switzerland. Il had 6 fuel tanks (120 gallons), 6 seats, King radios and simple autopilot. I made a downpayement in November 98, paid something every month and in May 1999 got the keys and aircraft papers.

Now the new horizons opened in front of me. England, Malta, Lampedusa Island, Sicily, few Africa countries including Madera, Cap Vert, Canaries were visited year after year. At last it was time to think about a world project.

Over a period of 5 years different equipment was added :

Myself, Gerard Moss and Fleming Pedersen

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In November 2005, I attended with my wife Eliana an Earthrounders meeting in Mexico City where I met an International group of very interesting and proficient pilots who already made one or more around the world trips in different kinds of aircraft. I learned a lot of from these guys and received many practical recommendations :
www.earthrounders.com