Lachlan Smart - Nomination for HCAP and LAA Award?
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Below is from The Pacific: General Aviation and Questions forum including typos.
CIRCUMNAVIGATION
While I agree that a true circumnavigation would include the crossing of all meridians and the equator, the rules applied by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale(F.A.I.) for validating aerial circumnavigations are:
"Fora powered aircraft to officially circumnavigate the world it must cross allmeridians in one direction, travel a distance of at least 36,787.559 km (thelength of the Tropic of Cancer), and complete the journey at the point ofdeparture. Each leg must commence at the exact point where the previousfinished off. There is no requirement that it cross the Equator or touchantipodal points.
TheF.A.I. o has a different (less stringent) set of rules for inflatable craft,such as balloons and blimps, which are at the mercy of winds and jet streams."
Good effort by the Russian and I see that the first Solar powered flight is about completed.
It seem that the age of adventure is not over yet.
CIRCUMNAVIGATION
While I agree that a true circumnavigation would include the crossing of all meridians and the equator, the rules applied by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale(F.A.I.) for validating aerial circumnavigations are:
"Fora powered aircraft to officially circumnavigate the world it must cross allmeridians in one direction, travel a distance of at least 36,787.559 km (thelength of the Tropic of Cancer), and complete the journey at the point ofdeparture. Each leg must commence at the exact point where the previousfinished off. There is no requirement that it cross the Equator or touchantipodal points.
TheF.A.I. o has a different (less stringent) set of rules for inflatable craft,such as balloons and blimps, which are at the mercy of winds and jet streams."
Good effort by the Russian and I see that the first Solar powered flight is about completed.
It seem that the age of adventure is not over yet.
Thread Starter
Looking at the way the so called 'Honourable' Company of Air Pilots run their operation Lachlan Smart and his generation are best avoiding this old boys network.
Check out http://www.wingsaroundtheworld.com.au who is now nearly 75 % around the world flying a single engine Cirrus, genuinely solo and still only 18 years old.
The UK Honourable Company of Air Pilots never even bothered to welcome him to the UK despite his solo flights across the Pacific and Atlantic
Check out http://www.wingsaroundtheworld.com.au who is now nearly 75 % around the world flying a single engine Cirrus, genuinely solo and still only 18 years old.
The UK Honourable Company of Air Pilots never even bothered to welcome him to the UK despite his solo flights across the Pacific and Atlantic
Last edited by Mike Flynn; 14th Aug 2016 at 21:15.
Thread Starter
Lachlan Smart
Thank you for posting that Pulse.
Lachlan is a real hero in my books having just flown such a record breaking global flight in a single engined aircraft when most people of his age are just hoping to pass a driving test.
Sadly he did not get much of a UK welcome or publicity. The Honourable Company Of Air Pilots were not there to greet him at Biggin Hill despite him being the youngest person to ever fly across the Pacific and Atlantic. The LAA have not given him the Bill Woodham Navigation Award.
However his local newspaper in Queensland sums his trip in a modest way that reflects his attitude.
There are lots of pictures of him on the web but I like this one with his proud mum.
Lachlan is a real hero in my books having just flown such a record breaking global flight in a single engined aircraft when most people of his age are just hoping to pass a driving test.
Sadly he did not get much of a UK welcome or publicity. The Honourable Company Of Air Pilots were not there to greet him at Biggin Hill despite him being the youngest person to ever fly across the Pacific and Atlantic. The LAA have not given him the Bill Woodham Navigation Award.
However his local newspaper in Queensland sums his trip in a modest way that reflects his attitude.
HE DID IT
Lachlan Smart is back on home soil after a 45,000km journey that took him around the world.
And the Sunshine Coast couldn't be more proud.
He was welcomed home to much fanfare yesterday morning at Sunshine Coast Airport - eight weeks since he began his world-record attempt.
Lachlan has been dubbed the Jessica Watson of the skies but he is a hero in his own right.
The ambitious Nambour teenager is now proudly and officially the youngest person in history to circumnavigate the globe solo in a single-engine aircraft.
Making 24 stops in 15 countries on five continents is an amazing feat for anyone - let alone someone so young.
It's even more remarkable once you know Lachlan started his Wings Around the World dream just two-and-a-half years ago and had his first flying lesson at 14 years old.
He broke records early into his journey by becoming the youngest person to fly solo over the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Now he holds a Guinness World Record.
Not only did he invoke tremendous national pride after his epic journey, Lachlan has proven a great role model for young people all over the world.
At just 18, he has demonstrated incredible dignity, professionalism and humility in the face of being in the national and international media spotlight.
Lachie, you have inspired us all but especially those who dare to dream.SOAPBOX: Young pilot inspires us to follow a dream | Sunshine Coast Daily
Lachlan Smart is back on home soil after a 45,000km journey that took him around the world.
And the Sunshine Coast couldn't be more proud.
He was welcomed home to much fanfare yesterday morning at Sunshine Coast Airport - eight weeks since he began his world-record attempt.
Lachlan has been dubbed the Jessica Watson of the skies but he is a hero in his own right.
The ambitious Nambour teenager is now proudly and officially the youngest person in history to circumnavigate the globe solo in a single-engine aircraft.
Making 24 stops in 15 countries on five continents is an amazing feat for anyone - let alone someone so young.
It's even more remarkable once you know Lachlan started his Wings Around the World dream just two-and-a-half years ago and had his first flying lesson at 14 years old.
He broke records early into his journey by becoming the youngest person to fly solo over the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Now he holds a Guinness World Record.
Not only did he invoke tremendous national pride after his epic journey, Lachlan has proven a great role model for young people all over the world.
At just 18, he has demonstrated incredible dignity, professionalism and humility in the face of being in the national and international media spotlight.
Lachie, you have inspired us all but especially those who dare to dream.SOAPBOX: Young pilot inspires us to follow a dream | Sunshine Coast Daily
Avoid imitations
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"Proper job!"
Unlike some........
Unlike some........
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Well done, Lachlan.
Perhaps if heli does come back, he might also like to point out to the readers and contributors the "ill-informed speculations".
Waiting with bated breath.
Perhaps if heli does come back, he might also like to point out to the readers and contributors the "ill-informed speculations".
Waiting with bated breath.
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Originally Posted by heli
I echo the comments on Lachlan's achievement and sincerely hope that the HCAPA consider recommending him for recognition.
Fly in the ointment comment but, I think Lachlan's achievement is mastering the Cirrus 'Take me to Cuba' capabilities rather than any great navigation or aircraft handling skills. I'd be more impressed if he'd done the trip in an aircraft that couldn't fly itself.
He could probably have read his way through a few novels en-route with the Cirrus.
He could probably have read his way through a few novels en-route with the Cirrus.
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Well, Flyingmac's remarks may very well be true but I disagree with the sentiment. I have never done anything on that scale and never will but I imagine it would still take some courage and mettle, and that is admirable. If he has done it for personal satisfaction without any particular fanfare or pretence, so much the better.
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I agree that it's a hell of an experience and must have been a great adventure for a 17 year old, and he deserves every congratulation for having achieved it. 
That said, as a Cirrus pilot myself: it's not a technically difficult trip to fly, and several other Cirrus pilots have actually already done it, albeit not at the age of 17. FWIW, there is one Cirrus pilot currently posting on COPA who has done this trip and, having upgraded to a PC12 is now doing a polar circumnavigation. Sorting the logistics and funding are probably much more difficult than the actual flying!
Despite this, there's no doubt that it was potentially dangerous as it involved a number of long over-water flights in a SEP but, as the recent chute pull on the ferry flight to Australia showed: good planning, which I'm sure Lachlan would have had, can go a long way towards mitigating the risk.
That said, as a Cirrus pilot myself: it's not a technically difficult trip to fly, and several other Cirrus pilots have actually already done it, albeit not at the age of 17. FWIW, there is one Cirrus pilot currently posting on COPA who has done this trip and, having upgraded to a PC12 is now doing a polar circumnavigation. Sorting the logistics and funding are probably much more difficult than the actual flying!
Despite this, there's no doubt that it was potentially dangerous as it involved a number of long over-water flights in a SEP but, as the recent chute pull on the ferry flight to Australia showed: good planning, which I'm sure Lachlan would have had, can go a long way towards mitigating the risk.
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it would still take some courage and mettle, and that is admirable.
Sorting the logistics and funding are probably much more difficult than the actual flying!
Thread Starter
He has written it up in a blog on his website Megan.
http://www.wingsaroundtheworld.com.au/blog/
Well worth reading.
In all the interviews Lachlan emerges as a modest and unassuming young man.
He was alone throughout the entire trip organising the ground logistics etc. There was no support team waiting to whisk him off to the luxury of a five star hotel while others took care of the boring bits.Sitting in any seat for in excess of thirteen hours is not fun.
However he freely admits he was in constant contact with a support team back in Queeensland.
To answer suggestions that his adventure was all done on autopilot his blog suggests otherwise and is well worth reading.
Blog | Wings Around the World
http://www.wingsaroundtheworld.com.au/blog/
Well worth reading.
In all the interviews Lachlan emerges as a modest and unassuming young man.
He was alone throughout the entire trip organising the ground logistics etc. There was no support team waiting to whisk him off to the luxury of a five star hotel while others took care of the boring bits.Sitting in any seat for in excess of thirteen hours is not fun.
However he freely admits he was in constant contact with a support team back in Queeensland.
To answer suggestions that his adventure was all done on autopilot his blog suggests otherwise and is well worth reading.
The irritating sound of my alarm bursts through the silence of a nice summer’s night in Hawaii to tell me the time has come to face my biggest challenge to date on the Wings Around the World journey.
It’s 12:45am, I only had 3 and a half hours of broken sleep and it was already time to get up, pack up my equipment and head to the airport. This may be the journey of a lifetime, but in the early hours of the morning the struggle is real
As I waited for my handler Candicelee from Air Service Hawaii, I had a last chat to the weather briefing office to make sure the forecasts hadn’t changed in the last 5 hours, and with all being ok I set off for the airport. I felt confidently nervous.
Two days prior we (my team and I) had delayed the trip across to California by 24 hours due to weather not being favourable with a hurricane to the south of my flight path. With the extra time up my sleeve I had managed to get some rest, but that also came with an extra 24 hours for my nerves to build up.
In the car with Candicelee it was very quiet as I contemplated what lay ahead of me, and what challenges I might face. I arrived at the airport at 2am, preflighted the aeroplane, packed the last of my bags, cleared the Department Of Agriculture check and carefully hopped in the Cirrus via the front of the wing. With a lot of fuel on board in my ferry tank, the plane was quite tail heavy (within the limits of what is approved) and had I put the same amount of pressure on the step that I normally did, the plane would tip towards the tail. Everything was measured to the nth degree, including my movements.
Starting the engine up, I received my clearance from Honolulu that I was cleared to fly to Hollister, California via my flight planned route at 9000 feet, so with that I began the take off roll and lifted into the pitch black night.
There were a few clouds around so it was very dark at take off, almost like flying in space, so I watched my instruments like a hawk and climbed steadily by those. Upon leaving VHF range I transitioned to the HF radio and began talking to San Francisco. It was a challenging and a very grueling first 3 hours as I was hand flying the aircraft purely by instruments, while trying to burp the tank and manage communications, fuel transfers, engine monitoring and more. Being very tired I decided some food was required to keep me awake so I burst out one of my precious muesli bars that took walking through 3 shops to find… but they were worth it.
After dawn broke, and the aircraft became lighter as fuel was burnt I transitioned from the hectic start of the flight to a more relaxed cruise. The next 10 hours felt like a lifetime and upon reaching the point of no return I was both nervous and excited. Nervous because it meant I had to get this right or go for a Pacific cruise in my life raft, but excited because it meant that one way or another, I was going to have finished this challenging leg of the journey soon and couldn’t turn back.
Around the 9-10 hour mark I was certainly ready to stretch the legs and thought surely this must be nearly over…Nope, there were 4 hours remaining. So I settled in and kept going with the routine I have come to know so well. I’ll give you a quick run down of my hourly workflow.
It’s 12:45am, I only had 3 and a half hours of broken sleep and it was already time to get up, pack up my equipment and head to the airport. This may be the journey of a lifetime, but in the early hours of the morning the struggle is real
As I waited for my handler Candicelee from Air Service Hawaii, I had a last chat to the weather briefing office to make sure the forecasts hadn’t changed in the last 5 hours, and with all being ok I set off for the airport. I felt confidently nervous.
Two days prior we (my team and I) had delayed the trip across to California by 24 hours due to weather not being favourable with a hurricane to the south of my flight path. With the extra time up my sleeve I had managed to get some rest, but that also came with an extra 24 hours for my nerves to build up.
In the car with Candicelee it was very quiet as I contemplated what lay ahead of me, and what challenges I might face. I arrived at the airport at 2am, preflighted the aeroplane, packed the last of my bags, cleared the Department Of Agriculture check and carefully hopped in the Cirrus via the front of the wing. With a lot of fuel on board in my ferry tank, the plane was quite tail heavy (within the limits of what is approved) and had I put the same amount of pressure on the step that I normally did, the plane would tip towards the tail. Everything was measured to the nth degree, including my movements.
Starting the engine up, I received my clearance from Honolulu that I was cleared to fly to Hollister, California via my flight planned route at 9000 feet, so with that I began the take off roll and lifted into the pitch black night.
There were a few clouds around so it was very dark at take off, almost like flying in space, so I watched my instruments like a hawk and climbed steadily by those. Upon leaving VHF range I transitioned to the HF radio and began talking to San Francisco. It was a challenging and a very grueling first 3 hours as I was hand flying the aircraft purely by instruments, while trying to burp the tank and manage communications, fuel transfers, engine monitoring and more. Being very tired I decided some food was required to keep me awake so I burst out one of my precious muesli bars that took walking through 3 shops to find… but they were worth it.
After dawn broke, and the aircraft became lighter as fuel was burnt I transitioned from the hectic start of the flight to a more relaxed cruise. The next 10 hours felt like a lifetime and upon reaching the point of no return I was both nervous and excited. Nervous because it meant I had to get this right or go for a Pacific cruise in my life raft, but excited because it meant that one way or another, I was going to have finished this challenging leg of the journey soon and couldn’t turn back.
Around the 9-10 hour mark I was certainly ready to stretch the legs and thought surely this must be nearly over…Nope, there were 4 hours remaining. So I settled in and kept going with the routine I have come to know so well. I’ll give you a quick run down of my hourly workflow.
Last edited by Mike Flynn; 29th Aug 2016 at 06:56.
Seems like a nice young man and good luck to him. Couldn't help thinking 'yeah, ok whatever..' though. Somehow, I can't really get excited about it.
Oh, and drop the gold bars until/if someone requires you to wear them.
No doubt CV will get a lot more coverage when she goes on her wee jaunt. But then so did Sir Branston when he fell off his bike....
Oh, and drop the gold bars until/if someone requires you to wear them.
No doubt CV will get a lot more coverage when she goes on her wee jaunt. But then so did Sir Branston when he fell off his bike....