Monday, May 23, 2011

A Week in the Philippines.

Following Norman’s arrival a week ago at Woodland Air Park in the Philippines, people may have been wondering what he has been up to. Obviously, because of the long gap since the circumnavigation was put on hold last year, Norman has been extremely busy with updating flight plans and attaining new permits for flying to modified destinations. Major world events over the last 6 months have necessitated a rethink on the original route, and hopefully new destinations will be confirmed soon and then the journey can resume.


But it hasn’t all been a week of paperwork. The weekend Norman arrived at Woodland’s coincided with the Flying club’s ‘Fly-In’. Norman enjoyed all the flying displays and was even able to give a small demonstration of the agility of the Gyrocopter as well as offering some air-experience flights to friends from the local area.

Norman prepares to put Roxy through her paces as Sheila holds on tightly
(courtesy of Tonet Rivera and Sheila Kristine De Leon)
Local friends, Tonet Rivera and Sheila Kristine De Leon, have graciously allowed us to use their images from the day, which include shots of Sheila’s ‘Gyro Grin’ after her flight with Norman and Roxy.

Time to fly! Sheila gives a thumbs up for the flight of a lifetime
(courtesy of Tonet Rivera and Sheila Kristine De Leon)

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Norman Taxi's Roxy out as Sheila waves from the rear seat
(courtesy of Tonet Rivera and Sheila Kristine De Leon)

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Flight over but Sheila's helmet hides her expression
(courtesy of Tonet Rivera and Sheila Kristine De Leon)
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There it is, the famous 'Gyro Grin' strikes again!
(courtesy of Tonet Rivera and Sheila Kristine De Leon)


Norman was also lucky enough to be given the chance to take the front seat in a partially restored Boeing Stearman Biplane as it did taxi trials for the spectators. At least it was the same colour Norman was used to!

Hey Norman! You're in the wrong yellow aircraft!
(courtesy of Tonet Rivera and Sheila Kristine De Leon)
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Norman, sitting in the front seat, enjoys the taxi trials of the big Boeing Stearman Biplane.
(courtesy of Tonet Rivera and Sheila Kristine De Leon)
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Looking up, Norman wonders why the Stearman's wings aren't revolving?
(courtesy of Tonet Rivera and Sheila Kristine De Leon)

Following the ‘Fly-in’ weekend it was back to work and a week spent preparing ‘Roxy’ for her long journey. A number of cosmetic modifications were undertaken, including adding new camera mounts and some new stickers. Check out the Angeles City FC website by clicking here and see where Norman and Roxy are at the moment.

Roxy's tail, announcing the all important record attempt that is still on!
(courtesy of Tonet Rivera and Sheila Kristine De Leon)
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Balancing! The rotors and the top of the step-ladders.

A new fuel sensor system was fitted and the photos show Norman busy with this task, although you may think he has actually found a hiding place to escape from the rain and snow which will be a big part of the adventure when he reaches Siberia and Alaska!

Is Norman applying new fuel sensors or....
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...making space to create his own personal 'hidey-hole'?

All in all, a very busy week but at least Roxy is now looking pristine and ready to Wow the rest of the world as she and Norman continue around the second half of the globe!


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The Gyrox Team.

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Monday, May 16, 2011

Norman is Back in The Philippines

It is with the greatest of pleasure that we can now announce that Norman has returned to the Philippines and is hoping to resume his Circumnavigation of the Globe very soon.


Following an eventful flight from the UK to Manila (red tape made him miss his connection in Bangkok) Norman finally arrived at Angeles City, Luzon on Saturday. Meeting up with his old friend from last year, Jay, he arrived at the Woodlands Air Park, home to the Angeles City Flying Club, and was reunited with Roxy, the heroic little gyroplane that had already taken him half way around the world.

Norman takes to the air again
(courtesy of Tonet Rivera)
 It just so happened that the weekend Norman arrived at Woodlands was the weekend they were having a ‘Fly-in’, and Norman was able to give demonstration flights with Roxy that enthralled the visitors, whilst at the same time getting some flying time under his belt after 5 months away from the gyro.
Norman does a low flypast for the spectators
(courtesy of Tonet Rivera)
On a longer test flight Norman circuited the local volcano as well as numerous landings take off and landings.

He was also able to enjoy the rest of the Fly-in activities which included a balloon bursting competition and flour bombing from a ‘squadron’ of microlights! One of the highlights for Norman was when he was given the chance to take the front seat of a newly restored Stearman Biplane as it made its first taxiing trials. Strangely enough…it was the same colour as Roxy!
Roxy takes to the air whilst the big Stearman watches on
(courtesy of Tonet Rivera)

As the fun came to an end, Norman and his colleagues from the flying club set about preparing Roxy for the upcoming resumption of the round the world flight. This included adding new and improved camera mounts, so that the flight can be better documented and a review of the fuelling system which will take a few days to implement.
Norman, back in the hot seat!

Norman was able to re-activate the ‘Spot’ tracker and his weekend flying tracks are still visible by clicking here.

Norman reported that he was very happy to be back flying, especially when he flew low over the fields as the maize harvest was underway and all the harvesters would wave their large harvesting boards to welcome him as he flew over them.
Norman and Roxy in their element
(courtesy of Tonet Rivera)

As for what happens next? There will be an intensive work out period for Roxy which will sort out if there are any problems to be fixed as well as the afore mentioned upgrades and then it will be down to making sure all the paperwork and permits are ready for the resumption of flying on the next leg of this epic journey.

Everyone at the GyroxGoesGlobal team wishes Norman and Roxy well for the second half of the circumnavigation and we look forward to keeping his fans and followers up to date each day with all the news.

Clear skies and happy landings Norman.

The Gyrox Team

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