Australian pilot Michael Smith is shown in his Searey plane, manufactured by Progressive Aerodyne of Tavares.
Australian pilot Michael Smith, 47, has been flying solo around the world in a two-seater Searey plane manufactured in Tavares, and he’s not done with his epic journey just yet.
His adventure has included 261.1 hours of flying during 105 days of travel. He has landed his light sport amphibious aircraft at 62 airports and 10 water bases throughout Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Along the way, he has relished experiencing and posting on his travel blog the culture, customs, foods and sights of 45 cities.
Smith is currently in Tavares for maintenance on his plane at Progressive Aerodyne in preparation for the rest of his trip. He was welcomed Friday by city leaders, Progressive Aerodyne officials and aviation buffs.
“I love adventure and I have been sailing since I was a kid,” he said. “And when I started flying, I naturally gravitated toward the Searey, because it was the best of both worlds.
“I enjoy flying and the adventure is what it’s really all about … The Seareys are an amazing little plane where you can get out there and have some fun.”
Smith began his trip in March with the goal of following a 1938 route used by the Qantas Imperial Airline.
His planned route home will explore more of the United States, flying to New Orleans and then traveling north, via the Mississippi River, and west to Oregon, Alaska, across the Aleutians to Russia, south to Japan and the Philippines, then on to Indonesia and Australia.
“I’m still waiting on some airways clearances and permissions,” Smith said. If clearances are not granted, he will have to ship his plane home.
Reflecting on his landings in different countries, the pilot has fond memories of people who treated him with kindness.
“I’ve found that while I am comfortable with my own company for several hours of long flights, and as determined as I am, it’s the generosity of strangers helping on the ground that makes the trip possible and enjoyable,” Smith said. “Our most valuable commodity is time, yet time and time again, through Asia, Europe and even the Middle East, people were offering to help in many ways.”
In the Australian Outback, people offered their own cars for Smith to get around. In Patna, India, he was given a ride on the back of a motorbike to find food.
“Regardless of the politics of nations, the average citizens are good-hearted people who are only too pleased to help their fellow man,” he said.
The pilot has found Lake County residents eager to hear about his journey, too.
“How exciting is it that a seaplane manufactured here in Tavares, America’s Seaplane City, has flown around the world and has landed back here in Tavares?” Tavares Mayor Kirby Smith said. “This is phenomenal — a phenomenal feat.”
Tavares City Administrator John Drury said Smith’s journey also is exciting for Searey, which has expanded from Tavares to its certification and sales office in Shanghai, China.
“We’re exporting in China, so that’s a reversal of what we usually see,” Drury said, interrupted by applause.
“Made in Tavares,” yelled one man in the crowd. “Made in Tavares,” echoed Drury.
“This is an incredible trip and not very many people would be able to do that totally solo and unassisted,” said Kerry Richter, founder of Progressive Aerodyne, manufacturer of the Searey.
“But, it’s a very rugged airplane and it’s very capable.”
Richter learned months ago that Smith wanted to make the solo flight, but the pilot wanted it kept quiet.
“He said, ‘I don’t want anybody to try to talk me out of it,’” Richter recalled. “It was his dream that he wanted to do. I was impressed that he had the willingness to do it and the nerve to do it.
“It may be a record,” he said.
Story and photo gallery: http://www.dailycommercial.com
Australian pilot Michael Smith flies his Searey plane, manufactured in Tavares, over icy waters near Greenland. Smith is currently in Tavares for maintenance on his plane before continuing his journey.
No comments:
Post a Comment