FINAL STATS FROM THE CJ3

We have all been home for a little over 2 weeks now, settling back into normal life and reflecting on all the amazing experiences we had together as a group. 

Peter and Molly have reviewed the data from their Journey and provided us with the stats from their CJ3 - here are Molly's words:

"A successful Around the world flight!  Our travels have included 81.50 flying hours, 32 take off and landings, 26,842 Nautical Miles, 77,350 pounds of fuel, 11,545 Gallons and 20 countries!  It has been an amazing journey with more twists and turns than we could have ever imagined. Between Mankind and Mother Nature we were put to the test. I am sure happy that Peter was my navigator and pilot. No safer or better pilot around.  “Sky King” has another item checked off his Bucket List. ( you should see how large that bucket is! ).  Thanks for following our Air Journey. A trip of a lifetime!"

WHEN JOURNEYERS BECOME FAMILY

When traveling with people for over 60 days, you can imagine we get to know each other quite well. We see the good, the bad, share the laughs and jokes and occasional frustrations. 

 We started off essentially as strangers and end as family, how cool is that? 

It was an amazing Journey and looking back on all the breathtaking destinations, the cultures, the people, and most importantly our group - this is one Journey that we will always remember and cherish. 

Thank you to the 2017 Inaugural Australia & Beyond Journeyers for allowing us to share this experience with you. We hope to see you all very soon.

HOME SWEET HOME - MISSION COMPLETE!

We are all back home after circumnavigating the world in our airplanes and completing Air Journey's inaugural Australia and Beyond - flying westbound on our Around the World Journey with an emphasis on Australia.

After 62 days, 21 countries and 36 destinations, we are home from an amazing flying adventure that was one for the books. We've made incredible life long friends, incomparable memories and shared exciting flying experiences.

Welcome home to all of the adventurers - you've done what many pilots only dream of completing -  you have flown your airplane around the world - mission accomplished! You are all officially earthrounders.

North Carolina

back in Canada in time for some leaf peeping

back in the hangar

We've done it!

CROSSING THE NORTH ATLANTIC

Our flight across the Atlantic requires a stop in Iceland - and quite honestly, a North Atlantic crossing isn't complete without a visit to Iceland. Regardless of the aircraft, we all need a stop in this small country to make the rest of the route possible.

Although small, Iceland has a lot to offer and is a geological wonder. It also has a significant role in aviation. As pilots, a visit to the Air Traffic Control Center, which controls the airspace across the Atlantic, is a must do!

Our birds ready to depart from Biggin Hill

Carla rocking the gumby suit - a requirement for single engines crossing the North Atlantic

on the right track

views from above - one of the many breathtaking scenes of Icelandic glaciers with volcanoes underneath

G came on board to accompany the group home

on arrival into Reykjavik Airport - BIRK

always a welcome sight

downtown Reykjavik

visit of ATC Iceland

ONE LAST CURVE BALL FROM MOTHER NATURE

This journey has been pretty unique on a number of levels, especially with Mother Nature. It was only fitting that Mother Nature throw us one final curve ball for our last leg of the Journey.

We are mid October and in the United Kingdom, yet Mother Nature is throwing us a hurricane! Ophelia, the 15th named storm of the year, is making its way up towards Ireland and Scotland - threatening our flight route along the way. A named hurricane hasn't passed through this area since 1961. Thank you Mother Nature - much appreciated.

Now to find a clear path to Reykjavik...

We are all keeping a close eye on the storms movement and it appears that if we depart bright and early on Monday morning, we should have a clean shot for Iceland and clear the storm before its arrival.

A 6:30am departure it is. We are now home bound.

Ophelia brought a yellow storm cloud to London, covering the city with a yellowish-red tint from sand the storm was carrying from the Sahara Desert - a unique sight.

A DAY ABOUT LONDON

Our final official stop on the Journey is London, England. Although we have an overnight scheduled in Reykjavik, some may opt to continue their flight home if the weather is right, which would separate the group earlier than expected. With that said, we made the most of our final stop all together. 

London traffic proved itself during our transfer from Biggin Hill Airport to the Mayfair area of London - home to the Dorchester Hotel - our abode for the next two nights. What should have been a 55 minute ride ended up taking nearly an hour and a half. Once downtown though, it was worth it. 

The Dorchester Hotel is beautiful and charming. Famous for it's afternoon tea and is superb location, it was the perfect spot for our final few nights on the Journey. 

It was the first time in London for a few of the group. Our city tour fell on a Sunday, which initially worried me seeing as St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey are not open to the public on Sundays, however, you can see them from the outside and the lack of traffic made for easy circulation around London - allowing us to cover a large area and seeing many more highlights then initially on the agenda. 

Our guide, Pepe, was excellent. He was knowledgeable of the area, knew his way around the city better than anyone and had great comments that kept us laughing the entire morning.

Big Ben is undercover until 2021 as it is currently undergoing an extensive renovation. You can see a part of the clock but scaffolding surroundings the tower on all sides. 

After visiting Westminster Abby and the Parliament area, we headed over to the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace before making our way to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London to see the crowned jewels - quite a few pieces that we took a liking too!

The Dorchester Hotel - home while in London

bus was supposed to seat 25 but instead seated 15 - luckily we like each other!

 Westminster Abbey

A visit to London is not complete without a look at Big Ben. This time under renovation and will be silent for the next 4 years..except at Christmas at least this year

 drive by of the Thames River

walking towards Buckingham Palace

 We weren't the only ones there...

 changing of the guards procession in front of Buckingham Palace

lucky for us, there wasn't much on Sunday

 Tower of London - several different areas available to visit showcasing many aspects of British history past and present

 the crown jewels are kept in this building

 

group shot in front of Tower Bridge

 

 

 

leave it to us to find the ice cream

back home

 afternoon tea at the Dorchester

special guest Lucie and Jack