Island Hopping

This weekend we have been fortunate to receive a full length blog post from Norman himself. Whilst he has been waiting for those long awaited permits to allow him to continue to Russia he has managed to find the time to write a fascinating travelogue of his journey through the Japanese islands and also explains the delay that is keeping him in Japan for the moment. Enjoy!

Island Hopping

As I write this entry I am now sitting on the “Mainland” of Japan, which, in the bigger scheme of things, is still of course an island in itself. Since setting out from the “Mainland” of the Philippines, Luzon (another big island), I have been making steady progress by hopping from one small island to another, like so many small stepping stones across this huge watery North East Pacific region.

This has been a very different type of flying than what has gone before up to this point. The vast majority of the time airborne has been heading out over hundreds of miles of Ocean in search of a small speck of Terra Firma (or not so Firma as we are now very much in an active Earthquake Zone…) to land on.

Landfall, but not conducive to a landing!

These small oasis of green, usually surrounded by a wave worn rugged rocky coastline, have all been home to very special Island communities who have all been very curious to learn the reasons why I just happened to have singled out their particular island from so many possible landing spots. The main deciding factors have primarily been geographic and logistical as these small islands with less busy airports suit Gyro flying very well. There is often simply no need for Gyros to land at airports with large commercial infrastructure (unless for clearing entry/exit customs etc.). While being “processed” to go through these large metropolises, it often feels like it takes much longer to just get out to your aircraft than it does to actually fly to your next destination!! Much preferable is the small field where a one minute walk brings you through from car park to aircraft apron and perhaps another one minute walk takes you to the tower to have a pleasant, unhurried chat with ATC about the weather, prohibited airspace zones for that day and check any other Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS) en route…

The normal daily flight range of G-YROX has also dictated exactly which of the small islands have been best placed, geographically. And so, with only a little bit more selection process than simply stabbing a pin on the map, we chose our ideal island locations and flight planned accordingly.

As I set out from Luzon I wondered what sort of reception I might expect from these islands which just a short time before where a completely unknown quantity. Would I get by on islands where much less English would be spoken, could I get fuel, food, accommodation and money ok? I shouldn’t have worried though, as each one proved out my theory that small island communities are usually very friendly, welcoming people, keen and proud to show that their island is a unique, fantastic place (and so they truly are - every one of them…).

Norman suggests that this en-route island could be its own self contained country! It has agriculture, a city, villages and a harbour...but no airfield...time to fly on.

I think it is something to do with a mutual recognition that on a small island everyone has to coexist in a small space, and depend on each other for help and support in every situation. When a new face suddenly appears (especially riding in, atop a yellow mosquito!! As Roxy has been fondly described this week!) there is a recognition that extends this help and support towards the traveller with open arms. Even in Kadena Air Base (the first overnight stop on my Island hopping adventure) there was that sense of unity of purpose (as you would expect from a military base of course) and the Base structure with its many “on Base” facilities formed almost and island community in itself. An Island within an Island so to speak, within the greater island community of Okinawa.

Earlier on that day I called very briefly to Basco Airport on the Butanes Islands 2 hours flight north of the Philippines. This was purely to pick up some additional fuel that I needed to allow me to reach Okinawa.

Arriving at the Butanes Islands, hoping there IS a runway somewhere!

Although I didn’t have very long on the ground there (and stayed strictly “airside” standing on the Apron as I was now flying internationally) the airport officials all gathered around for photographs and questions and I got a fantastic sense that all was harmonious, peaceful and tranquil on this Subtropical outpost.

Just about every Basco airport official came out to greet Norman.

The “airside flower beds” were manicured to perfection as were the numerous flowering shrubs and trees that accompanied them (how many times would you hear that phrase in Heathrow or JFK!). I departed almost as quickly as I had arrived but with a lasting memory that this would be a lovely place to visit with more time at hand.

Norman joins the group shot outside the quaint and tidy Basco Terminal.

The extreme gradient of the runway (you virtually land on the side slope of a very large and imposing mountain) was a whole different story that will have to wait for another occasion perhaps.

The gradient of Basco's runway is not readily visible in this shot but the end of runway terrain certainly is!

Entering Japan formally in Okinawa, I was eased into the Japanese ways and customs courtesy of the extremely kind and helpful US military personnel stationed at Kadena. Instructed to land on runway 23 Right (Kadena has 2 active parallel runways Left and Right) I was very surprised to be met by an obstruction across the runway whilst taxiing to Taxiway Delta. Someone has stretched what looked like a rope with fishing floats attached right across the tarmac. As I got closer it dawned on me what it was, not a net to catch fish but an Arrester Wire to catch flying fish - Fast Jet aircraft to be precise that would have a trailing hook to catch on the wire on landing.

The arrestor gear cable with 'fishing floats' at Kadena.

I had to call the tower to check it was ok to cross over this very thick wire cable (about 40mm diameter - held a few cm above the “deck” by the fishing floats strung along its length at intervals) - “no problem to cross at low speed” was the reply from the tower, which of course may be  easy for a large aircraft (with large wheel diameters to match) but with Roxy’s little wheels, not much bigger than those found on a wheelbarrow, it was a bit more of a “sprackle” (a technical term there for you straight from Northern Ireland!) to climb over. We bumped our way over the cable and quickly taxied on up the hill passed a huge military transport aircraft that could have easily carried 20 Roxy's in its cavernous belly and on to the fantastic reception committee waiting at the aero club apron…

Taxying in at Kadena AFB, Norman and Roxy are dwarfed by the gigantic C-17 cargo plane!

Norman parks up at the Kadena Aero Club apron, his first arrival in Japan.

Norman is warmly welcomed at Kadena by USAF personnel and their families, Japanese servicemen and customs officials as well as members of the Aero club.

Before departing Kadena, Norman obtained permission to have this shot taken with one of the base's F-15 Eagle's.

Onwards the next day towards Fukue Airport, I had to battle a strong headwind for a full three hours in the second half of the flight. It slowed me so much that it extended the flight time by an hour and very much focussed the mind on remaining fuel reserves. I flew low, only a few hundred feet over the water for 3 hours to “keep my head down” out of the stronger headwinds aloft, all the while calculating and recalculating fuel and range figures in my head to ensure we were ok to continue on course. (Alternate airfields en route would have meant a significant deviation of course away out to the east of my track).

Heading north at 272ft above the waves with an indicated airspeed of 97mph that has been reduced to 74mph by the head wind!

Many tiny islands dotted the route from Kadena to Fukue, but none of them appeared to be desirable as a landing place.

The island eventually hove into view and I was very relieved to again have some green stuff passing below the fuselage as I crossed the shoreline.

Norman arrives at the island of Fukue-Jima with its Volcano on the horizon.

Coming in to land on runway 03 at Fukue Airport.

A lovely welcome reception awaited on the apron with the Airport Manager taking time out to personally take care of me throughout the evening. We had a great chat in my first proper Japanese bar/café and my first impressions were that if all the islands turned out to be so relaxed and easy going then I would be having a very pleasant trip indeed through this region.

The Fukue Airport Manager (centre with arms crossed) and his team give Norman and Roxy a warm welcome.

And so it turned out to be, Oki Island was the next hop where the reception party would even bring out a huge welcoming banner!

The flight track to Oki took me close to the Japanese Mainland for the first time. I was struck by the almost manicured appearance of the countryside - no piles of rusting old farm machinery littering up the back yards of the Farmhouses. All available flat land had been turned into very neat and orderly rice fields, with terraces correcting and making order of any unruly land that didn’t happen to start off flat. Even the choice of main crop, Rice, has a uniformity of character that, when observed from the ground, has no untidy straggly corner bits or bits damaged by wind as you would get with Wheat or Maize, it all remains neatly at the same height and colour while it is growing and maintains a very smart and tidy image…. Even the country lanes get in on the act, having a very smart set of white lines down both sides that compliments the dark grey ribbon of tarmac that is forced to turn and twist around the undulating terrace clad hillsides.

Part of the inpenetrable tree canopy seen during the flight from Fukue to Oki.

I was clearly flying over a singularly “different” place. One with a much defined identity and unique landscape that couldn’t be mistaken for any other country visited so far. This was in stark contrast to the gradual changes that I saw within the Tropical Jungle settings of Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. When seen from the air, rural, grass roofed, houses in all these countries can appear very similar, Jungle is Jungle is Jungle. But Japans heavily commercialised landscapes suddenly and abruptly changed all that and give me short notice that I was now heading northwards into colder climes and would have to slowly leave the heat and humidity of the Tropics behind.

Norman was amazed by the tenacity of nature and the way the trees have managed to establish a foothold on this tiny rock sticking out of the ocean mid-way between Fukue and Oki.

Arriving in Oki, the spectacle of the large Welcome banner being marched across the airport towards me was quite fantastic! The reception was equally fantastic and much lively chatter through interpreters, Elisabeth and Rika (who proved to be quite the double act!), continued as while we almost ceremoniously pushed Roxy towards her sleeping quarters in the Fire Station building. Chatter, that would continue on to the mechanised  Sushi Bar where the little train track of sushi dishes whizzed past us ready to be caught and eaten. Oki is a fascinating Island of very rare species of plants and animals, although sadly I didn’t spend long enough there to see its many sights other than in photos - a sea stack called Candle Rock looked particularly spectacular. Another place I thought would be good to return to some day for a longer visit.

Nortman and Roxy arrive over the fence at a very green Oki Airport.

A great welcome greeted Norman from the many people who had turned out to see him arrive.

Norman, wearing an 'I Am An Eskimo' T-shirt, poses with the Oki airport fire-crew who looked after Roxy during the overnight stay.

Onwards from Oki, the last island hop took me to Shonai Airport on the Mainland... This jaunt across the sea was to set a few pulses racing, though I should point out not mine… the flight was fairly uneventful over the water except the one notable occurrence that the SPOT tracker, decided to deactivate its tracking function mid flight. One green indicator light was flashing away on the SPOT unit (not two - as should have been the case) and it took some time before I realised that not both lights were flashing….once I realised I manually reset it and it worked fine again for the rest of the flight. Sincere apologies, for all those who had become worried on the lack of SPOT signal. I was simply unaware that anything was actually amiss at the time….

Norman 'gracefully' disembarks from Roxy as he arrives at Shonai Airport.

Shonai Airport has proved to be just as friendly and hospitable as their island neighbours and my Shonai English speaking “team” (for there are many!) have really taken me under their collective wing to help guide me in “all things Japanese”  so to speak. (Some of these adventures have already been highlighted by our recent blog entries from the Shonai and Tsuruoka area).

Norman toasts the generosity and hospitality of the Japanese people in the traditional way...with Saki, whilst at a night out with 'Shonai Team members' Aki Takano and Mr. Muraoka.

And so, I am now waiting for the necessary flight clearances to enter the very remote Russian Far East and also flight clearances to allow me to leave Japan. These two sets of clearances have then to coordinate together which can be very tricky in this part of the world… Also, of course, I’m watching the all important wind and weather forecasts in preparation to head out to sea once more. This last very long sea crossing before the Bering Sea will see me flying right across the Sea of Japan and making landfall in Vladivostok, Russia. I imagine there will be a similar “quantum leap” in the landscape as I experienced flying into Japan and I will definitely find myself suddenly immersed in yet another very contrasting and no doubt slightly confusing place with a whole different culture to get to grips with…Russian Style!!

I hope everyone reading is ready for a spot of “Borsch” (cold Beetroot) soup on the Menu?

Cheers N.     

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I think you will all agree, a fascinating, informative and entertaining blog from Norman. We at the Gyrox Team would like to thank Norman for taking the time to write such a great blog piece and we look forward to reading more from his personal experiences.

Hopefully, the permit situation will sort itself out very soon and we can continue to follow Norman and Roxy as they continue on to the next big adventure…Russia.

The Gyrox Team

                    *     *     *

(Unless otherwise credited, all images on this blog are the property of GyroxGoesGlobal and may be used with prior permissionfrom gyroxgoesglobal@gmail.com)

For more information, go to our website

‘Like’ us on Facebook

Consider Donating to Norman’s Chosen UK Charity: Bowel Cancer UK

Consider Donating to Norman’s Chosen North American Charity: Livestrong

Follow Norman and G-YROX (Roxy) live via the onboard tracker

Follow us on Twitter

Relive the early stages of the flight via the Timelinewebsite

                    *     *     *

'Spot' Made Easy!

One of the main drawing points of the whole Gyrox experience that keeps people glued to their computer screens when Norman is flying has to be the ‘Spot’ Tracker. This ingenious piece of modern technology allows everyone around the world to keep track in real time of where Norman is as the route he flies is tracked on a map. We have always tried to make the ‘Spot’ page one of the most publicised links on our various media formats, with the intention that this would allow the general public to feel part of the journey.

But, as is usual with modern technology, not everything can seem that straight forward and we do get regular queries about the operation of the ‘Spot’ tracker website. Because of this we have decided to do a ‘Beginners Guide’ to Spot in the hope that this will enable everyone to make the most out of their own ‘Spot’ experience.

So, let’s look at the basic page.  It is a map and on that map is marked the track of Norman’s flight. Each numbered arrow marks an update to the route being tracked. This can be as often as 5 minutes or as long as an hour or more, with 10 minutes being the average. The length of each track between each update marker can be of any length as it depends on the time between updates, the speed of the aircraft and whether there were any other maneuvers that had to be taken which weren’t seen by the tracker.

This does mean that between each update point the track is a straight line. Therefore it doesn’t show any deviations to the course that may have happened mid-way between update points. Sometimes this will show that Norman has flew through a mountain or building when in reality he flew around the obstacle but this detour wasn’t shown as it happened between updates.

If you have opened ‘Spot’ for the first time you will see a basic ‘street’ map of an area of the globe where Norman is now. As illustrated, you can see the track Norman has taken through the islands of Japan. This may seem a bit basic when showing the area and we will explain how to make this a more interactive and visual experience in a bit. For now, please note the ‘button’ near the top left of the screen (marked by a big yellow arrow). This button, with two tiny arrows, can be clicked to open up or close a side pane.

With the side pane opened you get a full log of the journey so far, showing the last 50 updates or the last seven days tracks, depending on which is suitable.

The side pane log has a number of columns that can be used to inform you of what Norman has been doing.  The first column on the left has a small box with a cross in it. Click the cross and the row opens up for that update and shows the detailed information just for that posting, including Time, latitude and longitude. Clicking the minus sign will close the row back to normal.

The second column shows the time since the last update and includes the date and time in relation to your locality. (Date only appears if update is longer than 24 hours previous)

The third column gives the CAA registration of the aircraft, in this case our own ‘Roxy’ – G-YROX. Of course, personal taste will decide whether you like the pane open or closed, but it does help to check it out to see how long since the last update was posted.  More from this pane to come a bit further on.

Of course, the main visual experience to be had is watching the track make its way across the map. But there is much more to the map than is first obvious.

If when you first open the ‘Spot’ page it will more than likely appear in ‘road map’ format, similar to the image above. This basic map is ideal for seeing the region, locale or whole continent as it will show the different countries and cities without too much detail getting in the way. But as you can see in the image below, there are 4 different formats to see the map in. The four yellow arrows point to the ‘buttons’ that are clickable and on clicking will change the format of the map.

The default is ‘Map’ and gives you a white map with roads, cities and boundaries marked clearly. The button marked ‘Satellite’ once clicked will give you a Google earth image which clearly shows buildings, forests, shorelines, airports and everything else you would expect from a satellite image. What it doesn’t show are any place names or road markings. But if you want to see an unhindered view of the land then is probably the best choice for you.

Possibly the best choice of all is the ‘Hybrid’ format. This shows a full Google Earth image but has all place names and other informative details overlaid. Ideal for checking where the airports are or seeing what interesting places Norman is flying over, the Hybrid option is ideal for a much more involved viewing session, although it can get busy with information the more you zoom in.

One of the main queries we get during a flight is ‘the tracker hasn’t updated for 30 minutes, is there a problem with Norman or is it my tracker?’

Thankfully, we never have to say that it is a problem with Norman, and it may just be that the updates have been updating slowly. But there is a tool on the website that can be used to ‘hurry things up’.

The yellow arrows point to two buttons on the left hand pane. When either is clicked this will ‘refresh’ the track updates and you will see the last update at the top of the left-hand pane and also any new movement of the track in the map pane. If this doesn’t work and there is no update then it probably means that the tracker hasn’t updated since the last time shown. This could be because of a number of reasons that have been discussed elsewhere on this blog.

As with other online maps, like Google Earth, it is possible to zoom in or out to get a closer or wider view of the area where the action is taking place. This is easily achieved by using the zoom controls on the left of the map pane, as shown by the yellow arrows on the image.

This control consists of a calibrated slider that can be moved up and down using your mouse. When your cursor is placed over the slider control it will change into a hand and when left clicked will enable it to move the slider up or down. At each end of the slider is a box with a + or a – sign. Clicking either of these will also zoom in or out, one gradation at a time. You can also click any of the gradations on the slider bar and the map will zoom to that level. It is best to play around with this tool to get used to the different levels of zoom.

As can be seen by the image, you can zoom right in to see individual buildings and vehicles, but you may get a screen saying that ‘There is no detail available at this zoom level’. This will mainly happen in desolate areas with no details, for instance, over the sea, deserts, forests and tundra. If this happens then you have zoomed in too far and all you need to do is zoom out, one gradation at a time, until the details reappear.

Back to the left hand panel and a little bit extra about the options available.

The yellow arrows show a couple of controls that are not readily identifiable as such. Between each column title is a line. This line, when you place your cursor over it turns into a double arrow icon which can be left clicked and held down to enable you to move the line in either direction, opening up that column to see more of the details or vice versa.

You will notice that in the ‘Time’ column there is a small arrow, in this case pointing down. If you click this then it will sort the ‘times’ either by the most recent downwards or the oldest update downwards to the most recent. Clicking on a ‘time’ update will take you to that position on the map. For instance, if you clicked to see the next to oldest update then the map would move to show you where that update was posted.

At the side of each column title is a little box which when clicked will bring up a dropdown menu with a number of other options.

Finally, a few tips that may be of use to you during your ‘Spot’ experience.

·         Your cursor will appear as a hand on the map pane and if you left click and hold then the map can be ‘grabbed’ and moved around easily.

·         ‘Spot’ is a portable device and as such can sometimes be carried by Norman when he is not flying. So please don’t worry if it looks as though Norman has flown into Temple or has parked ‘Roxy’ in a hotel, it’s just that Norman has carried the transmitter with him on his land travels.

·         The ‘Spot’ system is a satellite based application and therefore doesn’t have 100% coverage around the globe. To check whether Norman is in a good coverage area please check out the ‘coverage’ page by clicking here.

·         There are other ways to enjoy ‘Spot’ and in fact we may not have discovered everything it can do yet but if we find some new things we will let you know

Norman wearing the bright orange 'Spot' transmitter on his belt during a walkabout at the Giza Pyramids. (Photo courtesy of Eddie Gold)

Hopefully, this blog post has been informative and of assistance to you and if it has helped you to enjoy your viewing experience and also has answered some of your queries, then we can feel happy knowing that you too are seeing the wonderful adventure to the full as we are doing.

The Gyrox Team

                    *     *     *

(Unless otherwise credited, all images on this blog are the property of GyroxGoesGlobal and may be used with prior permissionfrom gyroxgoesglobal@gmail.com)

For more information, go to our website

‘Like’ us on Facebook

Consider Donating to Norman’s Chosen UK Charity: Bowel Cancer UK

Consider Donating to Norman’s Chosen North American Charity: Livestrong

Follow Norman and G-YROX (Roxy) live via the onboard tracker

Follow us on Twitter

Relive the early stages of the flight via the Timeline website

                    *     *     *

Waiting For News: Norman in Shonai.

It has now been six days since Norman flew his tiny aircraft into the coastal airport of Shonai on the Japanese main island of Honshu. It was hoped that after a day’s rest he would be off again for the major sea crossing to Vladivostok in Russia, but as those of us who have followed the flight since it started last year will know through experience, plans like these can suddenly be scuppered, sometimes because of weather but more often than not because of bureaucracy and the dreaded red-tape.

The approach to Shonai airport with the volcano, Mt Chokai to the left.

This is what has happened this week. Although this part of the flight had been in the planning for 2 years and regularly updated as needs be, when it came to the actual departure it seems that international bureaucratic negotiations work at a different pace to the mile-crunching speed of the little gyro and its intrepid pilot.

Norman disembarks from the tiny cockpit after arriving at Shonai. (Photo courtesy of Andy Edney)

Many people will have been in awe of the distances covered since Norman left the Philippines just over a week ago, but once again, that epic part of the journey falls foul of another wall made of paper.

Norman is greeted at Shonai by the Military Attache to the British Embassy in Tokyo, Andy Edney (Photo courtesy of Andy Edney)

Rest assured that the paper wall that is holding Norman up is not going to stop him; it is really just a slow moving exercise in patience amidst many negotiations with authorities in a number of countries around the world. As you can imagine, time zones and the language barrier are not conducive to speedy results.

Norman talks with airport staff and Aki the translator (grey suit) whilst Andy looks on following the moving of 'Roxy' into the Airport Fire Station 'hangar' (photo courtesy of Andy Edney)

So, whilst this has been going on and each day is spent waiting for the go ahead to continue the journey, what has Norman been doing to pass the time?

Norman's welcoming comitee at Shonai. The marketing manager for Shonai airport, Mr. Muraoka with Military Attache, Andy Edney and Norman's translator Alegria Takano(Aki). (Photo courtesy of Andy Edney) 

It was fortuitous that Norman’s arrival at Shonai had been eagerly awaited and as he touched down there was already a welcome committee to meet him, including a translator, Aki Takano, who would accompany Norman during his stay.

With Aki translating, Norman faces his first press conference at Shonai on arrival day. (Photo courtesy of Andy Edney) 

Norman prepares to leave the airport with Aki and Andy (Photo courtesy of Andy Edney)

The first thing though on Norman’s agenda was to check out the ‘Spot’ tracker. Anyone who was watching the flight from Oki to Shonai via the online tracker will remember the world wide panic when the tracker failed to refresh for 4 hours and had Norman stuck in the middle of the sea. But it did reappear just before he reached the mainland.

Norman with friends Aki and Mr. Muraoka at Mt Haguro (Photo courtesy of Aki Takano)

After a night’s sleep and a check of the battery and connections, Norman, accompanied by Aki, went for a drive into the mountains. Wearing ‘Spot’ on his belt, he was later able to check the track and confirm that it was now working OK, although what he didn’t know was that a lot of followers had been watching too and thought he was flying south east and had landed in the woods!

The famous steps through the forest of 600 year old Cedar trees. (Photo courtesy of Aki Takano)

During this drive into the countryside, Norman was able to visit Mt Haguro, a famous area with many shrines and a walk that takes you through a forest of 600 year old trees!

Norman on 'The God's Bridge' on Mt Haguro (Photo courtesy of Aki Takano)

The shrines and temples on the mountain are classed as a national treasure and although we are not sure how many Norman visited we do have some nice photos from this trip.

At the Sanjin-Gosaiden Shrine on Mt Haguro (Photo courtesy of Aki Takano) 

Something amuses Norman at the Haniyamahime shrine (Photo courtesy of Aki Takano)

Surrounded by 600 year old forest, the 5 story Pagoda is a Japanese treasure (photo courtesy of Aki Takano)

Norman is dwarfed by a giant bell at one of the temples (Photo courtesy of Aki Tanako)

There are 2,466 steps to the Sanzan Gosaiden Temple at the summit, but we haven’t heard if Norman made the full ascent.

Norman brings up the rear on the ascent up Mt Haguro (Photo courtesy of Aki Takano)

Norman looks a lot livelier on the way down! (Photo courtesy of Aki Takano)

The journey up the mountain included a stop at a traditional tea-house where Norman enjoyed the world famous Japanese tea ceremony.

Norman enjoys a refreshing cup of tea at the traditional 'Tea-House' on Mt Haguro with Sachi Sato, another interpreter friend (Photo courtesy of Aki Takano)

The day after, following the usual sending of emails and numerous phone calls to officials in Russia and the UK as well as in Japan, Norman was met by Mr. Muraoka, his 14 year old son, Yui Sasaki (the official interpreter) and her friend Mari Ikeda (also an interpreter) and they were able to take him to the Kamo Aquarium. A bit different from your usual aquarium, Kamo specializes in Jellyfish! Using Neon lights the jellyfish tanks are a sight to see. Another favourite at Kamo are the seals, sea lions and their pups, one of which Norman got very close to.

Norman with Mari Ikeda (left) and Mr. Muraoka's son arrive at the Kamo Jellyfish Aquarium!

Inside the colourful aquarium. From the left...Mari Ikeda, Norman, Mr Muraoka's son and Yui Sasaki.

So that's what a tank full of jellyfish looks like!

Norman makes friends with a Spotted Seal pup.

Luckily the Aquarium does have a restaurant…unluckily for the jellyfish; the main ingredients on the menu are jellyfish! Norman was persuaded to try the jellyfish ice cream but we have no idea if he liked it or not. You will have to guess by his expression.

Jellyfish Ice Cream! Mari, Yui and Norman seem to like the taste!

The next few days consisted of meeting with airport officials, members of the press and even watching a soccer match with local English teacher, Mr Noguchi, where one of his pupil's happened to be playing.

Multi-tasking! Phoning Andy inTokyo whilst eating sushi with chopsticks. A man of many talents!

Aki has been very hospitable to Norman and has shown him as much of Japanese culture as she can. This has meant sampling the delights of Sushi restaurants, sitting cross legged at very low tables, trying out many different types of sea food served in some amazing settings amongst charming company.

A traditional Japanese setting for a traditional meal of sushi. From the left...Yui Sasaki, Mari Ikeda, Mr Muraoka and Norman

A close up of the 'Sushi Bridge' complete with sea urchin, the yellow paste on the far right!

Norman with many of his new friends enjoying a cold beer at the Suzune restaurant.

Dish of the day at Suzune Restaurant: Sea Bass and Turban Shell!

Norman enjoys a family meal at the Kanazawaya Noodle Restaurant.

A happy gathering at the Happo-Zushi restaurant. It's a good job Norman likes sea food! From the left...Mari Ikeda, Mr Muraoka, Norman and Nagasawa Toshihiro

A visit to a ‘Tea-House’ museum was interesting as a pseudo ‘Geisha Girl’ performed the Tea Ceremony, white face and kimono included.

Norman has been very gracious in his respect for the Japanese people and how they have gone out of their way to show him some amazing hospitality but in the long run, his main aim is to continue with his journey and he, like all of us, wait patiently for that good news to arrive from Russia and then the journey can resume once again.

"Come and join us Norman, you are always welcome" From the left...Yui Sasaki, Mari Ikeda, Mr Muraoka and Nagasawa Toshihiro

Of course, as soon as we hear anything then we will let all the followers know through the various social media channels.

The Gyrox Team

                    *     *     *

(Unless otherwise credited, all images on this blog are the property of GyroxGoesGlobal and may be used with prior permission from gyroxgoesglobal@gmail.com)

For more information, go to our website

‘Like’ us on Facebook

Consider Donating to Norman’s Chosen UK Charity: Bowel Cancer UK

Consider Donating to Norman’s Chosen North American Charity: Livestrong

Follow Norman and G-YROX (Roxy) live via the onboard tracker

Follow us on Twitter

Relive the early stages of the flight via the Timelinewebsite

                    *     *     *

Norman Reaches Final Japanese Destination.

Because of the time difference between Japan and most of the rest of the world, the majority of Norman’s followers who have been following the flight on the ‘Spot Tracker’ have either been staying up late, getting up very early or even staying awake all night so as not to miss a minute of this adventure as it plays out live on their computer screens.

But how many of the hardy souls who stayed up to follow the full 5 hour flight earlier today would have realized what a suspenseful, heart-stopping 5 hours it would be?

The day for Norman started really well. A nice weather outlook, a pleasant ride to Oki airport from his hotel and a good turnout of people from the airport and other local bodies all coming to see Norman off.

Prior to today's departure, Norman has a group photo with Oki Airport firemen and an airport official. (Photo courtesy of Elisabeth Pardee)

Luckily, during his stay on Dogo Island, Norman had been accompanied by Elisabeth Pardee who acted as his translator and this meant he was able to receive all the best wishes and messages of praise from the locals who were genuinely pleased that they had met Norman and been part of his adventure.

Normally used to topping up small airliners the Oki Airport refuelling crew are quite perplexed by the 'Turtle-Pac' fuel bag that acts as Norman's back seat passenger! (Photo courtesy of Elisabeth pardee)

Norman’s estimated departure time of 10:00 hrs local, passed by and finally with all farewells said it was time to get Roxy ready for the next leg. This caused a short delay as the refueling people had never come across anything like the ‘Turtle-Pac’ fuel bag in the back seat.

Roxy shares the Oki ramp with a NAMC YS-11 as Norman busies himself with pre-flight checks. (Photo courtesy of Elisabeth Pardee)

But, with this small hitch fixed and the fuel bag engorged with Avgas, Norman lifted off at approximately 10:30 hrs local (01:30hrs GMT/UTC) and headed straight out over the Sea of Japan on a north easterly track towards Japan’s largest island, Honshu and his next destination, Shonai airport, 400 miles away (645km/348nm).

Suited, booted and ready for the off. (Photo courtesy of Elisabeth Pardee)

The first tracker update after take-off showed Norman about 10 miles out to sea, heading in the right direction and although the tracker had been slow to update whilst on the ground, about every 20-30 minutes, it was easy to imagine people around the world refreshing the tracker, waiting to see that orange line move a bit closer to the mainland.

But, 30 minutes came and went with no update. Then an hour passed and nothing. After an hour and a half and with still no update the Gyrox team started to receive messages asking if we knew why. But in reality we were as much in the dark as everyone else. All we could do was recall that this had happened before and not to worry.

But then 2 hours had passed and still no update! No, this hadn’t happened before but it was probably just a hitch with Spot.

By the time 3 hours had passed we were really starting to worry, as were many people around the world. It was time to do something. One of our colleagues, Ahmed Hassan Mohamed, works as a flight dispatcher and is able to call air traffic controllers around the world. So we got in touch with him and he tried to glean some information from Oki and Shonai airports, all to no avail. Unlike most airports around the world, it turns out that the smaller airfields in Japan do not have English as their language and seeing our Japanese is non-existent then this avenue was going nowhere.

It was then that we remembered that Elisabeth at Oki was Norman’s Translator!

A quick email to her and she was immediately on the phone to the authorities at Oki airport and in the meantime the clock showed that it was now 4 hours since the tracker had updated. Elisabeth got back to us straight away with the news that the people at Oki confirmed, as far as they could tell, that Norman was fine and at that moment Spot refreshed and showed Norman approaching the coast of Honshu, not that far from Shonai! Phew!

A special thank you to Paul Curtis for capturing the moment. That long orange line equated to 4 hours of tension for everyone watching.

It was with a sigh of relief that everybody around the world were able to watch the final leg into Shonai Airport where, oblivious to the online drama that had been unfolding, Norman landed safely at approximately 15:30 hours local (06:30 GMT/UTC).

Shonai Airport's coastal location is clear from this aerial view.

The actual flight took 5 hours and covered 400 miles (645km/348nm), the vast majority of it over the open sea. Another great flight that has brought Norman to his final arrival in Japan before he heads off to Russia.

Norman will be having a rest day tomorrow at Shonai, which is well deserved considering the distances already flown since he left the Philippines last Wednesday.

Another country traversed and the big ones coming up, starting with Russia. The logistics of flying across the desolate regions of far eastern Russia will certainly keep us all on the edge of our seats for the proposed 10 day crossing of the country until he flies across the bering Sea to Alaska. A truly magnificent adventure that is keeping us all enthralled, onwards and upwards Norman, the sky’s the limit.

The Gyrox Team

Because Norman isn’t flying tomorrow our blog post will be about the vagaries of the Spot tracker with tips and hints on how to get the best out of following it.

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Unless otherwise credited, all images on this blog are the property of GyroxGoesGlobal and may be used with prior permissionfrom gyroxgoesglobal@gmail.com)

For more information, go to our website

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Consider Donating to Norman’s Chosen North American Charity: Livestrong

Follow Norman and G-YROX (Roxy) live via the onboard tracker

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Relive the early stages of the flight via the Timeline website

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Norman is Okay at Oki!

Earlier today, Friday 22^nd July, Norman departed Fukue Airport on Fukue-Jima Island at around 11:20hrs local (02:00 GMT/UTC) and headed North towards the main Islands of Japan; Kyushu and Honshu. Generally following the coastlines of these two islands, Norman and Roxy flew past the major city of Nagasaki and eventually turned out to sea near Miho Airport where a 45 mile crossing of the Sea of Japan brought him to the small group of Islands called the Oki Islands where at 16:10 local time he landed at Oki Airport on the Island of Dogo.

The whole flight took just short of five hours with a distance covered of approximately 365 miles (588km/318nm) with no problems and clement weather conditions.

Norman is marshalled in at the quiet Oki Airport on Dogo Island, Japan. (Photo courtesy of Elisabeth Pardee)

Norman was greeted at Oki airport by a Facebook friend, Elisabeth Pardee who was able to act as his translator. We are grateful to Elisabeth for contacting us and giving us an update on Norman’s wellbeing. This is what Elisabeth was able to tell us...

“Norman arrived safe and sound at about 4:10 this afternoon. He was greeted by a combination of airport personnel, tourist information workers, and some Board of Education and public office workers. After he got off of his plane we took him (a BOE employee named Mr. Ikemoto, a Japanese teacher of English named Mrs. Matsuoka, and myself) to get his hotel reservation in Saigo, the main town. Then we went to get sushi at a Kaitenzushi restaurant (one of those places with revolving plates of sushi going around) and he regaled us with exciting stories of his travels. The Oki people were all thrilled to see him. He's made an absolutely wonderful impression here and I think people will be turning out in droves to see him off tomorrow.”

It seems that Norman can bring out the best in people and with his winning smile and warm conversation he inspires so many people who meet him.

For instance, check the personal blog post of Marga Ortigas, the Al Jazeera correspondent who interviewed Norman prior to his leaving from Woodland Air Park. Read it here.

As Elisabeth said, it is expected that Norman will have a great turnout tomorrow to see him off on his next leg. The world renowned Japanese hospitality is certainly being shown to our intrepid traveler. But, another day, and another destination…and tomorrow that means Shonai on the western coast of Honshu Island.

Yet another Volcano will greet norman on arrival. This time it will be Mt Chokai near Shonai!

An estimated time of departure of 10:00hrs local (01:00 GMT/UTC) will see him fly North East, back across the Sea of Japan to his final destination in Japan, Shonai, a distance of 400 miles (640km/345nm). We are still waiting for confirmation of the departure date from Japan and Norman may well have a rest day in Shonai before continuing on to Russia. Keep checking back for the latest updates.

We are hoping for some more images tomorrow, hopefully from Norman’s departure from Oki and maybe an update from Norman himself if he gets time and an internet connection in Shonai.

Another day and another massive flight for such a small aircraft. As Marga says in her blog, “His energy was infectious from the start; his smile enough to brighten any day” and I am sure we all agree.

The Gyrox Team

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(Unless otherwise credited, all images on this blog are the property of GyroxGoesGlobal and may be used with prior permissionfrom gyroxgoesglobal@gmail.com)

For more information visit our website

'Like' us on Facebook

Consider donating to Norman's chosen Uk charity: Bowel Cancer UK

Consider donating to Norman's chosen North American charity: Livestrong

Follow Norman and G-YROX (Roxy) live via the onboard tracker

Follow us on Twitter

Relive the early stages of the flight via the Timelinewebsite

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