Norman Prepares to Head North...

After a days rest from flying and a chance to do some important checks on G-YROX, Norman will be departing Woodlands Air Park in the centre of Luzon Island, The Philippines, for a 200 mile (321 Km) flight to Laoag International Airport (RPLI) near the northern tip of Luzon Island and the last port of call in the Philippines before heading to Taiwan.


It is expected that Norman will depart WAP mid-morning tomorrow for a lunchtime arrival at Laoag (all times local) and following the 200 mile flight it is unlikely that he will continue to Taiwan a further 300+ miles (480+ Km) across the Philippine Sea.

As usual, departure and destination are subject to weather and permissions.
There will be further updates after Norman arrives in Laoag.

Follow tomorrow’s progress on the ‘Spot’ tracker at
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0M3Zb2VvSqGOOKr8faf6ltSR80lVr0C4h

and a reminder why Norman is attempting this flight
http://www.justgiving.com/gforgyro

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Norman Describes Yesterday's Flight...

Norman will not be flying today but he has been able to get this message out from Luzon and in his own words describes yesterday’s flight and today’s schedule…


I had an invite to the Woodlands Airpark after I contacted them - Captain Siva (from Kuala Lumpur) had put me on to them initially. I progressed up towards Manila bay under the 1500 feet control Zone. All the mountains were covered in low cloud so the low level approach over the sea was the best by far - some spectacular Islands en route - I am now staying with one of the flyers - Jay - from the airfield and I am going to perform a 25 hour airframe inspection today (as the aircraft was re-built - we have to check all the bolts after 25 hours- this is the best place to do this as the airfield, like Nong Prue has a great club atmosphere and will be relatively inexpensive to stay - the other consideration has been the Typhoon Ester which has tracked north of PHILIPPINES - it’s not in my way now as it is moving off but it has dragged a lot of heavy cloud and rain behind it between me and Taiwan - the extra day will allow this to disperse more.

Going to the airfield now with Jay so will report further soon and send a picture or two of the big rain

Norman.

Where Did Norman Land? Mystery Resolved...

Norman departed Puerta Princesa on Palawan Island in the Philippines at around 10.00am local time and headed, as was expected, north across the South China Sea towards the Island of Luzon, The Philippines largest island, and his scheduled refuelling stop at Subic Bay. It was only as he approached Luzon that people who were following his progress on the Spot Flight Tracker noticed that he made a north easterly change of direction that took him into Manila Bay and headed towards a destination that was at that time unknown!


A quick glance ahead suggested that Clark Airforce base may have been his destination but this was not to be. He continued northward and then appeared to have landed in the middle of nowhere!


But soon the mystery was resolved when it was discovered that he had arrived at the Woodland Air Park near Angeles City, an ultralight/microlight airfield, similar to the one at Nongprue and home to the Angeles City Flying Club.

This Flying club certainly has the facilities to make Norman’s stay with them an enjoyable one, which you can check out at the link below.


Some facts about today’s flight…

Depart Puerta Princesa…10.00 local time

Arrive Woodland Air Park…15.00 local time

Distance covered…approx 420 miles (675 Km)

Distance over open water…230 miles (370 Km)

Time in the air…5 hours


Although he was scheduled to fly on from Subic Bay to night stop at Laoag in the north of the island, Norman is now spending the night at the flying club and is expected to head to Laoag in the morning, but because flying a gyrocopter in distance lands is not an exact science this may change at any time.

But these sudden changes in flight plans all add to the drama and suspense of following Norman on the Spot tracker.

http://www.angelesflying.com/index.php

Norman is Now in The Philippines!

Norman has arrived in the Philippines, the 16th new country visited by Norman since leaving Larne in March. After a rest day in Kota Kinabalu, during which he managed to get his 3rd haircut of the trip (see photo), he departed early this morning for the 350 mile (560 Km) flight over the Sulu Sea to the Philippine Island of Palawan where he landed at Puerta Princesa International Airport (RPVP) at 13:50 local time.

Norman looks happy after only his 3rd haircut
in nearly 5 months.

Norman followed the northern coast of Borneo before heading north to make the 100+ mile (160 Km) over open water crossing to the Philippines.

There were thunderstorms reported in the area but Norman arrived safely before they could affect his flight. The early arrival means that Normal will have a good rest before tomorrows intended flight to the biggest island in the Philippine archipelago, Luzon. Weather and permissions allowing, he will be landing at Subic Bay, a famous name from the 2nd World War, and after refuelling he will fly on to Laoag near the northern tip of Luzon Island.

This could easily mean a distance of 550 -600 miles (885-965 Km) may be flown tomorrow. Definitely a day to Follow the Spot Tracker.

Norman Has Posted a Link To New Photos

Norman has posted a link to new photos from his first week back in the air. Including departure from Nongprue, Thailand and Malaysia.


Click the photo for more.

Norman Reports On His Departure From Nongprue.

The first flight to Trang was very pleasant - I got a great send off from Nong Prue with virtually the whole crew there for 0700 local except for Ian and Gerry who were away. Everyone lined up and clapped as I started to roll which was very touching - I definitely had a lump in the throat signing off on the radio with Tiger, knowing everyone would be listening in on his hand held radio. Flight over the Gulf of Thailand was very peaceful after hectic last few days - had time to eat my sandwich and look at the many fishing boats below. Loads of little rocky Islands - cliffs on one side little sandy beach on the other complete with the odd solitary Coconut palm tree on the shore - proving the fact that coconuts float to get from island to island.... real Tracy Island thunderbirds stuff..

                                             

Near to Trang the rain clouds appeared but these were easy to fly around and made for some spectacular Scenery not unlike rugged Scottish highlands except for temperature.... Trang was very pleasant everyone out to meet me and then a quick trip through the pass on the mountains - hence the dogleg second flight to avoid the higher cloud topped peaks. Hat Yai; interesting to see another part of Thailand and as luck would have it, I spent the evening with Ian who had missed the departure from Nong Prue - he happened to be down here for a motorbike week!

Buddhist Good Luck Ceremony
and Blessing before departure

Looking forward to Malaysia as Celia and I have been before to KL so I’ll seek out a Lassy Namak curry.

"Norman"

In the Shadow of Mt Kinabalu...

Norman has safely arrived Kota Kinabalu International Airport (WBKK) in the north of the island of Borneo in the Malaysian state of Sabah. This followed a flight from Kuching, where he departed at 10.00am local time for a 330 miles (530 Km) first leg to Miri Airport where he refueled before continuing to Kota Kinabalu, a further 180 miles (290 km) to the North.


Norman made great time on each leg and was helped once again by members of the EAA Malaysian Chapter 1090 (Experimental Aircraft Association) at both stops.
There were doubts about reaching Kota Kinabalu today as a weather front may have caused problems, but Norman managed to arrive at the airport ahead of the rain storms.

The majority of today’s journey was flown overland and included tropical rain forest, Nature Reserves and at one stage he was flying over the Sultanate of Brunei!

But tonight he rests in the city of Kota Kinabalu, a very attractive tourist destination, world famous for its nature reserves and its position at the base of Borneo’s highest peak, Mount Kinabalu. He is being hosted by members of the EAA Malaysian Chapter 1090.

This will be his last night in Malaysia as tomorrow morning, weather permitting, he is scheduled to fly north to Puerto Princesa International Airport on the island of Palawan, his first stop in the 16th new country since leaving Northern Ireland…The Philippines. ETD 09.15am Local time.

Norman Arrives in Borneo!

We are happy to announce that after an incredible feat of flying, Norman has arrived safely at Kuching. Today’s epic started late last night as Norman with the help of members of the EAA Malaysia Chapter 1090 (Experimental Aircraft Association) sorted out the aircraft and prepared new flight plans ready for today’s flight. It was 01.00 am (all times local Malaysian time) when Norman finally got to bed and he was up again at 06.00am! This allowed him to depart Kuala Lumpur on time and he was escorted in the air for 50 miles by members of the EAAM before he made a landing at Johor Senai Airport for refueling. This took less than an hour and then he was off again, heading out over the South China Sea with a daunting 400 + mile (640+ Km) flight across open water, before reaching the Indonesian eastern side of the island of Borneo. He then proceeded up a river valley to enter the Malaysian part of Borneo and proceeded to descend into Kuching International Airport (WBGG) where he arrived at approximately 18.15 and was met by more members of the EAAM and local aviation enthusiasts.


We cannot thank enough the members of the MEAA for their assistance whilst Norman was in Kuala Lumpur and special thanks go to…

Captain K Siva Rama, a 747 pilot with Malaysian Airlines and main coordinator of the EMAA

Mrs Rani Siva Raman; Honourable Secretary of the EMAA

Mr Lee Chong Yen,

Mr Shafiq Wilson

Mr Ritzerwan



A truly daunting flight has been accomplished once again in Norman’s resolute and inspirational way. I am sure he is already impressing the folks on the ground with his big smile and affability.

We hope you enjoyed watching his progress on Spot Tracker, it was really entertaining.

Norman Prepares for Major Sea Crossing...

Norman is staying in Kuala Lumpur tonight and is being hosted by members of the EAA Malaysia Chapter 1090,. His arrival was spectacular, with a member of the EAA meeting him mid-air about 30 minutes out from the airport and escorting him to the city where they did a few circuits of the Petronas Towers, which was videoed for future publication.


Because of the extra time spent in the air and activities on the ground, Norman was unable to carry on to his next scheduled destination of Tioman Island. This means that he will depart Kuala Lumpur at 08.30 (local time) tomorrow morning and fly to Johor Senai Airport (WMKJ) where he will refuel before carrying on to Kuching Airport (WBGG) in the Malaysian state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo. This epic flight will also include a sector of flying over open water for 450 nautical miles (518 miles / 833 Km).

The members of the EAA Malaysia Chapter 1090, will be flying in formation with Norman after he departs Kuala Lumpur and will accompany him until he leaves the city airspace and they will be taking photos during this stage of the flight which we hope to be posting in the near future.

The Gyrox Team.

A Great Arrival In a New Country...

After a day’s delay in Hat Yai, Thailand, Norman has arrived safely at Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, the 15th new country he has visited so far on his journey. He was met mid-air by members of the EAA Malaysia Chapter 1090,(Experimental Aircraft Association) in some of their aircraft. They were able to escort him over Kuala Lumpur and in formation, circuit the world famous Petronas Towers which hopefully should have made for a great photo shoot.