Norman has landed about 70 miles / 110 km west of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia because of an approaching storm front which other aircraft have had to divert around. Norman felt it would be safer in such a small open aircraft to land. He has landed near a filling station near Al Khalaig Alghabiyah where he will camp for the night. Norman has also been able to store the autogyro under cover for the night.
He back tracked earlier this morning as he assessed that he would need extra fuel for this flight, particularly negotiating the leading head winds of the approaching storm front. He therefore flew back on his route to pick up extra fuel from a garage he had spotted earlier.
He plans to fly on to Riyadh in the morning depending on weather and related flying conditions. This will be reviewed and updated in the morning.
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Sunday, April 11, 2010
Norman is flying to Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz Airport, Saudi Arabia
Norman is flying to Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz Airport OEDM in the central part of Saudi Arabia this morning. He departed just before 7.00 am (IST) flying in an easterly direction. The weather is a warm 25 °C with scattered clouds at about 1,000 feet / 3,000 meters and a south easterly breeze. Visability is at 6 miles / 10 km and there is a slight chance of rain.
This will be a flight of just over 300 miles / 480 km. As Norman often uses roads for way finding he will probably follow road 40 then road 50 which brings him direct to Al Dawdmi. The airport lies 18 miles / 30 km west of the town of Al Dawadmi and it is one of the most modern airports in Saudi Arabia.
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This will be a flight of just over 300 miles / 480 km. As Norman often uses roads for way finding he will probably follow road 40 then road 50 which brings him direct to Al Dawdmi. The airport lies 18 miles / 30 km west of the town of Al Dawadmi and it is one of the most modern airports in Saudi Arabia.
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Saturday, April 10, 2010
Norman has landed safely in Taif, Saudi Arabia.
Norman has landed safely in Taif, Saudi Arabia. According to the Saudi Network Raif is Taif, with its deep rooted history that dated back to thousands of years is famous for its gardens and good quality agricultural production on top of which are grapes, pomegranates and honey (photo of its famous rose plantations below). The elevation of the city by about two thousand meters above sea level, makes it one of the important resorts in the Kingdom. So Norman has landed in a 'land of milk and honey'.
It is also famous for historical features including the Souk (market) Okaz which played a distinguished role in the history of Arab poetry before Islam. The Souk was a forum for poetry debate in one of the richest era in the history of Arab literature and culture. Other important archaeological features in the city include many pre-Islamic fortifications, and Islamic mosques such as the Mosque of the Prophet's Companion (peace be upon him) Abdullah Ibin Abass.
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It is also famous for historical features including the Souk (market) Okaz which played a distinguished role in the history of Arab poetry before Islam. The Souk was a forum for poetry debate in one of the richest era in the history of Arab literature and culture. Other important archaeological features in the city include many pre-Islamic fortifications, and Islamic mosques such as the Mosque of the Prophet's Companion (peace be upon him) Abdullah Ibin Abass.
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Norman plans to fly to Taif, Saudi Arabia today.
Norman plans to fly to Taif, Saudi Arabia today. This will take him in a easterly direction for about 100 miles / 160 kilometers. The weather is clear and a very hot 33°C (just over 90°F).
Friday, April 9, 2010
Norman landed safely Saudi Arabia
Norman landed safely at Jeddah Airport, Saudi Arabia at 17:40 (IST). As Eddie Gold who hosted Norman in Cairo said "over 6 hours flying and arriving as the light fades makes this leg of his journey one to remember!
The initial flight north this morning, the opposite to Normans intended route, was because of the extremly strict flight rules. This prohibits civil aircraft from flying direct from Aswan in Egypt to Jeddah. This route must be done from Luxor. As a result Norman had to fly back to Luxor to get on the acceptable airway to Jeddah.
Norman was further slowed down by the Egyptian bureaucracy this was in contrast to the wonderful people he met there and the help and support he received from them. Between this and the diversion north nearly two hours were added to his flight time making it an exhausting six hours plus!
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The initial flight north this morning, the opposite to Normans intended route, was because of the extremly strict flight rules. This prohibits civil aircraft from flying direct from Aswan in Egypt to Jeddah. This route must be done from Luxor. As a result Norman had to fly back to Luxor to get on the acceptable airway to Jeddah.
Norman was further slowed down by the Egyptian bureaucracy this was in contrast to the wonderful people he met there and the help and support he received from them. Between this and the diversion north nearly two hours were added to his flight time making it an exhausting six hours plus!
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Norman is heading for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Norman is heading for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia across the Red Sea today. This will be a distance of over 430 miles / 690 kilometres heading in a south easterly direction. The area of Egypt he is flying across is commonly know as the Eastern Desert. It is crisscrossed by ancient Roman roads and caravan routes used by local traders over hundreds of years.
At Aswan the weather is sunny, clear and a hot 28°C. Wind is out of the north at 27 km/h which should give Norman a little push along. He has a long flight ahead of him across arid desert and open sea.
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Thursday, April 8, 2010
Norman has landed at Aswan
Norman has landed at Aswan International Airport, Egypt at 16.00 GMT. This was after nearly five hour flying time from 6th October Airport which saw him cross arid desert and the lush green flood plains of the Nile.
Photo above shows Norman preparing to take of at 6th October Airport with Ahmed Hassan M. Aly left and Eddie Gold right.
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Photo above shows Norman preparing to take of at 6th October Airport with Ahmed Hassan M. Aly left and Eddie Gold right.
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Norman is flying to Aswan, Egypt today
Norman is flying in Egypt today direct to Aswan , the site of the famous Nile dam. He is traveling a distance of about 470 miles / 750 kilometers and he is flying almost directly south. He will not stop as planned at Asyut and Luxor because he was unable to fly from 6th October Airport yesterday. The weather there is a hot 25°C and sunny and he departed just after 11.00 am (GMT).
Later today Eddie Gold who was hosting Norman in Cairo will post on Facebook some photos of him sight seeing at the World Heritage Site of Giza. Above is just one sample of those showing Norman in deep contemplation by the Pyramids considering the challenges of the next leg of his journey I am sure!
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Later today Eddie Gold who was hosting Norman in Cairo will post on Facebook some photos of him sight seeing at the World Heritage Site of Giza. Above is just one sample of those showing Norman in deep contemplation by the Pyramids considering the challenges of the next leg of his journey I am sure!
Become a Facebook friend or got to our website for more general information http//www.gyroxgoesglobal.com
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Norman is not flying today
Norman is not flying today as '6th October Airport' Egypt is closed.
His plan to fly on Luxor yesterday was scuppered by slow processing of paperwork which meant she lost his daylight flying window. Norman is being assisted in Cairo by local man Ahmed Hassan M. Aly and ex-pat Eddie Gold who is also hosting him.
Photo above shows Norman tucking into a traditional Egyptian dish of kushari with feter. Photo was by Ahmed El Heity who was taking care of Norman while in Alexandria.
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Tuesday, April 6, 2010
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