[attach id=261043 size="medium"]Wheelchair-bound pilot David Sykes with his microlight glider.[/attach]
A paraplegic adventurer who flew from England to Australia in a flimsy one-man aircraft is planning a round-the-world expedition that could begin and end in Malta if he finds local sponsorship.
Wheelchair-bound pilot, David Sykes became the first disabled person to fly about 200,000 kilometres across 18 countries in a microlight glider in 2011. He now plans to break another world record by becoming the first disabled man to fly solo across the globe.
“I had a couple of close shaves. This trip will be equally exciting and I think Malta would make the perfect place from where to start my journey. I already have the route figured out. All I need now is the sponsorship,” Mr Sykes said.
In keeping with Jules Verne’s classic novel Around the world in 80 days, Mr Sykes’ trip was prompted by a wager between members of his microlight club who bet the adventurer couldn’t make the long journey.
I hope that Maltese sponsors come forward and make this a reality
The wager will see Mr Sykes fly over 370,000 kilometres, stopping at 27 countries along the way.
“My 100-litre fuel tank gives me about eight hours of flying time, so I’ll have to make a few stops along the way,” Mr Sykes said.
The 44-year-old daredevil originally planned to fly from York to York but is now considering taking off from Malta in March 2015. Mr Sykes, or Spokes as he is known at his microlight club, expects to return just in time for the Malta International Air Show.
His route would take him across the Mediterranean to Egypt, followed by a long stretch across the sundrenched Sahara desert into Saudi Arabia. Making his way across India, he hopes to fly to Russia where a Russian MiG fighter-jet instructor will act as his interpreter and navigator. He then plans to cut across to Canada where, after a brief stop off in the US, he will make the transatlantic haul over to Europe; finally ending up back in Malta.
The whole trip would cost about €200, 000, which includes all expenses and contingency for any snags along the way. It also includes the purchase of a brand new microlight, which, along with a flight suit, would be covered in sponsorship logos and owned by the sponsors.
Mr Sykes said the trip would be in aid of several Maltese charities and would serve as a major source of publicity for the local sponsors.
“I knocked on doors asking for donations to make the Australia trip possible. When I set off I didn’t even have enough funds. I was hoping the trip would gain popularity and people would donate online while I was flying,” Mr Sykes said.
Luckily for Mr Sykes, his adventure captured the public’s imaginations and more than 28,000 people across 105 countries logged in to www.soloflightglobal.com to make donations and track the adven-turer’s progress.
“I hope that Maltese sponsors come forward and make this a reality. This will definitely put Malta on the map. My Australia trip was crawling with media. This would be huge for Malta,” Mr Sykes said.