An american pilot is making a lone flight around the world in a small plane. His first stop was in Recife!
The 7 meters long airplane is homemade.
Bill Harrelson built it with his wife who is also a pilot and, says he...
would love to participate in this trip but it was not possible because of lack of space, so small it hardly fits one person.
All area is occupied, shows Bill, by fuel tanks.
He can fly 39 hours without stopping for refuel.
The american pilot wants to break the world speed record from pole to pole.
He took-off Thursday from Bangor, Maine, USA and made his first stop yesterday in Recife, almost 24 hours later.
The initial idea was to leave yesterday but Bill ended up staying to visit the city.
He said he loved Recife, made many friends here, people helped him and someday he will be back.
Only that next visit will have to be more relaxed... To win this challenge he cannot stay too long.
Bill Harrelson wants to finish in 2 weeks what the current record holder took 4 months to achieve.
He expects to maintain a speed ten times faster and with a lot fewer stops along the way.
I asked: why risk yourself in a trip like that, alone?
I think I am crazy. It is the adventure spirit, important for human life.
For some people, adventure is climbing the Everest, for others is going to a library.
This is my adventure.
Bill Harrelson left Recife early afternoon and we followed his departure from our Globocop [news helicopter].
He is going to Chile, then New Zealand, Hawaii, Alaska and returns to the starting point, Bangor, Maine, USA.
Have fun, Bill! And good luck!