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Post by Bruce on Jan 1, 2015 18:34:17 GMT 12
N6ZQ, a homebuilt Lancair IV, is due through Hamilton tomorrow morning as part of a Record attempt at a Round the world flight via both poles. Bill Harrelson of Virgina USA is flying from Punta Arenas Chile to Hamilton NZ via the South Pole - an impressive 5300NM and over 27hrs in the air! I'm not sure of the arrival details but it will be approx 10am. It would be good to get some local aviators out to welcome him in!
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Post by Bruce on Jan 1, 2015 18:35:05 GMT 12
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Post by ErrolC on Jan 2, 2015 7:13:47 GMT 12
So the headline contradicts the article. www.stuff.co.nz/world/64604976/tiny-plane-makes-south-pole-but-not-new-zealandTiny plane makes South Pole but not New Zealand MICHAEL FIELD Last updated 07:31, January 2 2015 A tiny plane with just a pilot aboard is heading back toward Chile after flying over the South Pole but failing to reach Hamilton, New Zealand. Pilot Bill Harrelson yesterday morning began what was to be a continuous 27 hours over the 10,000 kilometre trip from Punta Arenas in Chile to Hamilton. Last night he reached the South Pole but strong headwinds prevented him flying on to New Zealand.Harrelson is flying a modified Lancair IV single-engine aeroplane in a bid to circumnavigate the world via both Poles. According to his Facebook "ZQ Pilot" page he left Kinston, North Carolina, on December 28. His progress, even over Antarctica, can be followed online. The Facebook page says Harrelson has faced a very long flight. "Stronger winds than forecasted made reaching southern NZ questionable," it said. "He successfully made the pole so he doesn't have to go back again." He is following the same track back to South America than he flew down. Instead Harrelson will fly from Punta Arenas to Hamilton direct – "still a formable challenge".The page says the plane needs some work and troubleshooting with issues around the autopilot and communications. "We will remind Bill that anybody who can build their own plane, fly it to the South Pole and back, and live to tell about has done something pretty remarkable." Harrelson already has the distance record for the class of aircraft having flown in 2013 from Guam to Jacksonville, Florida, a distance of 13,059 kilometres over 38 hours, 29 minutes. After Hamilton he was scheduled to fly to Honolulu. |
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jan 2, 2015 7:49:52 GMT 12
Wassn't there an Australian chap who did this some years ago in a home-built Thorp?
Wayne Matthews was buiding up to something similar in ZK-WMT.
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Post by Bruce on Jan 2, 2015 8:11:50 GMT 12
UPDATE:
Bill will not be landing in Hamilton today. He has flown over the South pole but has returned to Punta Arenas due to higher than expected headwinds. He intends to continue direct to Hamilton in the next few days, once some radio and autopilot issues have been fixed.
It will still be great to welcome him to New Zealand, so follow the Facebook and Spidertracks links shown
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Post by Bruce on Jan 8, 2015 7:27:05 GMT 12
Looks like he has finally left Punta Arenas heading to Papeete. as he has already overflown the South pole he Doesnt have to go that way, but does have to get to the nominated stopping point of Hamilton. I'd estimate we'll see him at Hamilton on Saturday all going well...
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Post by skydognz on Jan 10, 2015 9:12:09 GMT 12
On his way to Auckland Just passed Cook Islands 13 hour flight.
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Post by suthg on Jan 10, 2015 11:59:30 GMT 12
12:58 Saturday 10th
Flying at 9971ft; 176Kts (?) Direction 231º
Next stop Auckland
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Post by Bruce on Jan 10, 2015 17:49:03 GMT 12
Looks like he'll be crossing the top of the Coromandel peninsular at about 7pm NZ time. I doubt whether he would be cleared customs and on his way to Hamilton much before 8.30, but at the speed the Lancair is doing he'll still be in before it gets dark!
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Post by skydognz on Jan 10, 2015 18:18:27 GMT 12
Landed Auckland
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Post by skydognz on Jan 10, 2015 19:17:54 GMT 12
Bill has landed at Hamilton
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Post by skydognz on Jan 12, 2015 8:27:39 GMT 12
Bill has departed NZ 20 hour flight
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Post by ErrolC on Jan 12, 2015 21:39:55 GMT 12
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Post by skydognz on Jan 13, 2015 8:16:49 GMT 12
Bill has landed at Honolulu 21hours 07 mins and 3825 NM
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Post by skydognz on Jan 18, 2015 19:43:56 GMT 12
Bill is back in mainland USA 10hr 50min 2145 NM
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Post by skydognz on Jan 19, 2015 20:13:17 GMT 12
Bill is now at Fairbanks AK Final leg 6 over the north pole and home is planned for tomorrow.
4800 NM. Flight time 24 + hours
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Post by skydognz on Jan 21, 2015 8:06:45 GMT 12
Bill has departed on leg 6 1hr 10min on last leg via North Pole 24hour + flight
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Post by skydognz on Jan 21, 2015 17:47:38 GMT 12
Bill was at the North Pole 2 hours ago. Now heading for home.
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Post by suthg on Jan 21, 2015 21:35:02 GMT 12
He is into the northwest passages north of Hudson Bay I guess he is heading to Hamilton, Ontario. The next 5 hours or so are over water. Good luck to him!!
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Post by suthg on Jan 22, 2015 6:40:24 GMT 12
He's well into the US now, level with NY, heading for Virginia or North Carolina, 17,200ft at 166kts. Can't be far to go!!
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