Michael Smith - Southern Sun Voyage
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Michael Smith - Southern Sun Voyage
I have just spent a very enjoyable 99 minutes watching the recently released movie "Voyage of the Southern Sun" which follows Michael Smith around the world in his Searey aircraft the "Southern Sun".
This production is extremely well made, really enjoyable to watch and left me very jealous that I had never managed to complete a similar adventure myself !
At least I was lucky enough to be taken up in his adventure for the 99 minutes the movie ran for.
If you are up for a little bit of adventure, I would strongly recommend purchasing a copy of the DVD and taking some time out to watch the movie and get swept up in the different trials of flying around the world in such a small aircraft.
FILM ? Voyage of the Southern Sun The best $29 I have spent in a long time.
PS I have no interest financial or otherwise in the information above, I just felt because it was such a good movie it should be promoted.
This production is extremely well made, really enjoyable to watch and left me very jealous that I had never managed to complete a similar adventure myself !
At least I was lucky enough to be taken up in his adventure for the 99 minutes the movie ran for.
If you are up for a little bit of adventure, I would strongly recommend purchasing a copy of the DVD and taking some time out to watch the movie and get swept up in the different trials of flying around the world in such a small aircraft.
FILM ? Voyage of the Southern Sun The best $29 I have spent in a long time.
PS I have no interest financial or otherwise in the information above, I just felt because it was such a good movie it should be promoted.
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That part of the documentary was quite funny, instead of concentrating on landing he is counting the number of A380 aircraft that are waiting for him to land and then times in that by the amount of people on board and suddenly realises he has an audience of about 4000 people watching him land ! Very amusing
His travel blog was a knockout...DVD turned up in the mail today.
Will get comfortable ...and ENJOY.
Will bring back a few memories....and I note the differences in the Oz -UK leg from nearly 50 years ago.
Will get comfortable ...and ENJOY.
Will bring back a few memories....and I note the differences in the Oz -UK leg from nearly 50 years ago.
Book also released a few days ago...
Looking forward to opening it up soon.
https://www.amazon.com/Voyage-Southe.../dp/B0734KCXBD
Looking forward to opening it up soon.
https://www.amazon.com/Voyage-Southe.../dp/B0734KCXBD
Top viddy..
Would liked to have seen a few more shots from some of the countries he flew over...was some great photography in the Travelblog. The little icon dotted over a lot of territory...but I quess in 99 mins you cant fit in everything.
He certainly has the photographer/artists eye.
His IMC scare was probably a godsend in hindsight. I was wondering ..'what the !! when he talked about his intended night take off, no strip lighting, out over water..straight into a black hole !! Thank goodness for the ubeaut screen on the panel.
Would liked to have seen a few more shots from some of the countries he flew over...was some great photography in the Travelblog. The little icon dotted over a lot of territory...but I quess in 99 mins you cant fit in everything.
He certainly has the photographer/artists eye.
His IMC scare was probably a godsend in hindsight. I was wondering ..'what the !! when he talked about his intended night take off, no strip lighting, out over water..straight into a black hole !! Thank goodness for the ubeaut screen on the panel.
Australian Flying article
The most recent edition of Australian Flying magazine (Nov-Dec 2017) has an article written by Michael Smith covering a recent trip he took to Russia in search of a amphibian aircraft to replace the SeaRey.
He's looking for a twin and test flew the L-44.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaika_L-4
Good article
He's looking for a twin and test flew the L-44.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaika_L-4
Good article
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I "think" there was one of those at Tyabb some years ago. Ironically owned by a chap that was upgrading from his Searey. It had 2 x 4 cylinder 80hp engines and was dark green.
As a professional pilot who has done VFR commercial work I had a few “what is this guy thinking?” moments. Namely flying around Night VFR with no instrument rating. 
Given the instrument technology available today I think he was nuts to attempt this without even having a basic IFR rating.
Given the instrument technology available today I think he was nuts to attempt this without even having a basic IFR rating.
"the Generosity of Strangers was a constant pleasure to behold. Regardless of the politics of our nations, it seems we are all just trying to live good lives within our communities, care for our families and educate our children so they have a better time here than we did."
Wise words.
Wise words.
Yes - it was a US rego. I really loved this doc and wrote to Michael to say so. Some great moments. The spin recovery and the night take off (sorry - spoiler alert) were riveting but it’s his ability to tell the story that I loved most.
Folks,
Anybody want to reflect why the aircraft was on the N register and NOT VH-
The reason is quite specific and quite instructive, and relates to the flight.
Tootle Pip!!
Anybody want to reflect why the aircraft was on the N register and NOT VH-
The reason is quite specific and quite instructive, and relates to the flight.
Tootle Pip!!
I went to a presentation by Michael Smith a few weeks ago at the local library. He is a very good speaker. I am amazed at how he got on with this flight on such limited experience and no instrument rating. He understates the drama in some cases and overstates it in others. Still very entertaining. He had little knowledge of International Flight Planning procedures but he did have contacts on the ground in many countries.
I think the US Rego was the only way he could fly the experimental Searey aircraft around the world without an IFR rating. I believe that CASA would have required an IFR rating if it was an Australian registered aircraft
I think the US Rego was the only way he could fly the experimental Searey aircraft around the world without an IFR rating. I believe that CASA would have required an IFR rating if it was an Australian registered aircraft
