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.

The Epic Continues...

Following his 8am departure from Nongprue this morning Norman has really given G-YROX a thorough workout. After flying across open sea for over 200 miles (330+km) and crossing jungle and mountains in the central Malay Peninsular, Norman arrived at Trang airport where he had a short break before heading off again for a 70 mile (110km) hop to Hat Yai International Airport, close to the Malaysian Border. Here he will stop overnight before continuing tomorrow to the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.
Norman arrived at Hat Yai at approx 16.30 local time after a journey lasting approximately 8 and a half hours (including the break at Trang which covered approximately 520 miles (836km). A truly epic first day for our intrepid flyer in his amazing flying machine.

The Adventure Resumes

The news everyone has been waiting for has finally arrived! Norman and G-YROX have departed Nongprue and are well on their way to Trang, which lies 67 miles (110Km) from the southernmost border of Thailand on the Malay Peninsular. The flight is a straight line journey of approximately 380 miles (613km) of which approximately 201miles (324km) will be over open water. Norman will be flying past his original destination of Samui and continuing inland, crossing the Trang Kao Mountains, famous for their rubber plantations before arriving at Trang regional airport (VTST).
It is expected that after a short stopover in Trang Norman will then continue with a short hop of around 66miles (106km) to Hat Yai International Airport (VTSS), close to the Malaysian border, where he will night stop before continuing on his epic voyage tomorrow.

News Flash...

Norman will restart his attempt to be the first to fly a gyrocopter around the world, departing Thailand on Sunday (1st August 2010) at 7am (local time).