Skip to main content

UK adventurer is first person to fly solo around world in open-cockpit gyrocopter

A British adventurer has become the first person to fly solo around the world in an open-cockpit gyrocopter - despite nearly being struck by lightning.

James Ketchell set off in the small aircraft, which is similar to the 'Little Nellie' machine seen in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice, from Popham Airfield in Hampshire on 31 March.

The 37-year-old from Basingstoke completed the 24,000-nautical mile, 175-day journey today, landing in front of hundreds of well-wishers.
He said after landing at Popham Airfield: "It's quite overwhelming, it's magical.

"I have seen many amazing sights over the last six months. Probably one of the best is flying into Popham."
Mr Ketchell added: "The highlights undoubtedly have been the people I have met, I will be paying forward favours for the rest of my life and it doesn't matter what country I was in, what language they speak, people have been so helpful, people have been amazing."

Gyrcopters operate in a similar way to gliders and are considered the predecessor of the modern helicopter.
Mr Ketchell's Magni M16C gyrocopter travels at 70 knots, with a range of just 700 nautical miles, and its cockpit is open to the weather.

His journey took him across Europe, Russia, Canada, the US and the Atlantic Ocean, heading to Greenland and Iceland, before his final staging post on the Danish Faroe Islands.

But at one point in Canada it could have all been in jeopardy.

Mr Ketchell said: "I was almost struck by lightning and had to attempt an emergency landing on the road."

He said he was glad it was raining on Sunday when he landed, as it enabled people to understand some of the challenges he faced.

Mr Ketchell continued: "It shows people that it's not that simple, flying around the world.

"People had a slightly better understanding about what I have been trying to achieve."

During the trip Mr Ketchell, a UK scouting ambassador, set himself the goal of speaking at a school in every country he visited to help motivate youngsters.

Describing visits to schools in Siberia, he said: "The look on these kids' faces, big eyes staring at me with their mouths open while I was telling these stories as they were being translated, was a really magical feeling, and all the stresses drifted away.

"This is what this is all about."
Mr Ketchell described how he spent his teenage years depressed and lacking in confidence, and how a serious motorcycle accident led him to turn his life around.

He said: "With the birth of social media, teenagers now are frightened to do anything in case they get hung, drawn and quartered because they are worried about their image.

"I try to get my message out that 'Don't worry about anyone else and get out there and do your thing and your life will become free'."

Mr Ketchell is raising funds for the Kindled Spirit and Over The Wall children's charities.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Vulvar Care Tips

Vulva Care Maintaining a healthy vulva and vagina will help prevent infections and discomfort. Unusual changes in vaginal discharge is a sign that there might be an issue. Why is vulvar and vagina care important? Many women experience uncomfortable, vaginal infections (vaginitis) at one time or another. The area around the entrance to the vagina (vulva) can also become irritated. Steps can be taken to relieve and prevent vulvar discomfort and vaginal infections. Not all vaginal infections are alike and home treatments can worsen some types. If you have any concerns about your vulvar or vaginal health, or notice unusual changes in vaginal discharge, contact your healthcare provider if the problem persists. What is the vulva? The vulva is the area of female sex organs that lies outside of the vagina. These organs include folds of sensitive tissue called the labia (labia means "lips"). The labia has two parts. The outermost folds are called the labia majora. A secon...
Post a Comment
Read more

Nigeria’s first female banker, Sarah Morocco-Clarke is dead

Sarah Adenike Morocco-Clarke, Nigeria’s first female banker is dead. Morocco-Clarke died at the age of 80 on Sunday, 16 September 2018, after a short illness. Sarah Morocco-Clarke, an alumnus of Queen’s College Lagos, started her career with First Bank (then Bank of British West Africa, and subsequently Standard Bank) as a pioneer female employee, and rose through the ranks at First Bank Nigeria and was made the Services Manager and Secretary to the South Administration, wherein she had a mandate that covered the services of all the First Bank branches in Southern Nigeria. While she worked in the banking industry, she was manager of numerous First Bank branches in Lagos and was subsequently made a Regional Manager in charge of Bendel, Ogun and Oyo states. She was also an Area Manager in the Western part of Nigeria. Popularly known as the ‘Iron Lady, Morocco-Clarke leaves behind six successful children, thirteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Post a Comment
Read more

BBNaija winner, Miracle, gets Pilot license

The winner of the BBNaija ‘Double Wahala’ reality show, Miracle Ikechukwu, has obtained his Private Pilot License and Flight Dispatcher License. The 23-year-old took to his Instagram page to share the news by posting a picture of his licenses alongside birthday wishes for his mother. He wrote, “Today is also my pillar’s birthday (my sweet mum). Thank you, mother, for always being there for me through the journey. “To all my lovely fans, I thank you all for your patience and support. We made it. PPL in the bag. Happy new month,” Miracle said. During the course of the BBNaija show, Miracle, who was in aviation school prior to the show, continually expressed his desire to obtain all piloting licenses as soon as possible. He expressed his resolve during the eviction nights where he wore his piloting uniform each time he was up for possible eviction. Miracle’s total winning prize included N25m cash, a Sub-Urban Vehicle worth N12m and a trip for two valued N4.7m, Television an...
Post a Comment
Read more