Norman Experiences Storms and Triffids

Norman has sent an update about his day to day activities during his stay at Woodland Air Park near Angeles City on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. He has talked about the never-ending writing of emails and endless phone calls to the different agencies coordinating with him in his efforts to get the paperwork sorted out to enable the continuance of his journey, and of course the infinite waiting around for replies.


Norman’s stay at Woodland’s was exasperated by a massive electrical storm a few days ago that knocked out all the power to the region, leaving him without internet access and more importantly…air conditioning! A sticky situation only alleviated by having regular cold showers through the oppressive heat of the night.


This stormy scenario may have been on Norman’s mind as he flew towards Woodland Air Park last week after leaving Laoag, as can be seen from this photo of the gathering storm systems taken by Norman en-route.

(Time to be on the ground)

Norman did have a break from the frustrations of bureaucracy and managed to visit the nearby Clark Air Base. A major US base from 1903 until the USAF departed in 1991. It played a pivotal part in World War 2 and was a major base for operations during the Viet Nam conflict.


Below is a photo of Family housing for US military personnel at Clark AB during the 70’s and is included as a comparison to the photo taken by Norman on his visit.

(Family Housing 1970's Style)

Norman now tells us in his own words about his visit to Clark.

                   *     *     *

Day of the (different) Triffids

I recently went for a 10 km walk with fellow pilot Jay Cooke (from the Angeles Flying Club) around the far flung corners of the old Clark US air force base situated nearby. After Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991 the base was wound down and much of the base housing (away from the main bustling central area around the runways) fell into an advanced state of disrepair.... this, despite the Base becoming a Freeport with minimal taxation in recent years. Much evidence of half renovated schemes that had apparently run out of money in recent years was plain to see as we progressed around. It was interesting all the same to imagine how this base housing must have appeared back in its heyday, a leafy suburban idyll no doubt, cocooned and protected in its own Little America.
Now, even newly constructed walls only a few years old are being smothered and re-consumed by sprawling, pervasive and encroaching “Triffid” like jungle flora. This all dominating, force of nature, taking command once again of its natural habitat without fuss, as it would have done after countless ground smothering and clearing volcanic eruptions in the past millennia, way before Military Aeroplanes and their sprawling, pervasive and encroaching Triffid like support mechanisms were ever invented....

I have added a photo of “officers housing” - a “leafy suburban dream home” it once undoubtedly was for someone....The new residents are definitely more leafy and less suburban....

(Triffids Reclaim the Kitchen)

Cheers Norman.

                *     *     *

Become a Facebook Friend
For More Information Visit The Website
Consider Donating To Norman's Chosen Charity: Bowel Cancer UK
Follow Norman and G-YROX LIve on The Spot Tracker

               *     *     *

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. 


Become a Facebook friend or got to our website for more general information http//www.gyroxgoesglobal.com

Dolphins and slow sailors – Normans flight out into the Mediterranean

Monday Norman landed in the French island of Corisca near Italy and famous as a training base for the French Foreign Legion.  He was diverted there because Marina di Campo airport on the Italian island of Elba was closed due to maintenance.

Previously he had left Carcasonne on the mainland where the flying club were having a celebration lunch which Norman was invited to join - photo above.

His 150 mile / 240 kilometers was interrupted only twice by the majestic sigh of a school of dolphins and one yacht.  Norman, an avid sailor, was reflecting on the yachts journey an the 3 days ahead of them to reach land while he would reach the same in hours.

Read more? 

Become a Facebook friend and keep an eye on our website http//www.gyroxgoesglobal.com  

Norman has landed safely just south west of Pescara

Norman has landed safely just south west of Pescara, which is on the east coast of Italy. This followed a four hour flight over the Appenine / Appenini mountains. 


Check the out the exact landing point on the SPOT GPS tracker on the website http//www.gyroxgoesglobal.com

Norman’s French progress - Formidable machines and chicken sandwiches

Norman had an interesting arrival in France at Le Touquet. The inspiration for his expedition is having an impact on local people. They have sought him out offering help and hospitality.  Of particular note was Irish Woman and French resident who helped in many ways. You can see her son and her posing below with Gyrox autogyro at Chartres airport.

Because of a strong head wind and the lightness of an autogyro Norman had to land at right angles to the runway.  It seems that the air traffic control staff were speechless at the arrival of Norman’s little yellow machine.   As he arrived in a French pilot was so impressed he exclaimed “machine formidable!”

Read more?


For general questions on the Gyrox Goes Global endeavour go to our website
You can also become a Facebook friend.

Norman prepares for France / notes on trip to SE England

Norman is in Kent, England now preparing to fly to France leaving at approx. 10.30 am (GMT). He will be heading across the English channel via the White Cliffs of Dover. The day looks good as viability is about 10 miles (17 kilometers) with broken cloud at about 2,000 feet (600 meters). There is a slight head wind so he is expected to reach Le Touquet Airport at about 1PM (CET). He will be flying in formation down to the English coastline with four other autogyros - a nice sight if anyone can catch it. (Photo belwo of Norman preparing to leave Long Mynd, Shropshire, England)

He had an interesting flight down from our technical base RotorSport UK Ltd in Shropshire, England yesterday afternoon as it was "quite murky" with light rain. Not the best weather for autogyro flying.  He flew over his sisters house south of Luton near London, who had a visible good luck message mark out in her garden. A nice personal touch!


He was jointed by by fellow autogyro pilot John Butler and both escaped the heavy rain by the skin of their teeth. As they landed in Kent a sudden squall blew up and they struggled to get their autogyros under cover. But as quickly as it came the rain departed in 10 minutes.


For more information check out our website  http://www.gyroxgoesglobal.com/  If you want to give us feedback, comment or contribute in any way use the comment box below or become a Facebook friend