To fly on a wing and a shoestring, the BC 12 D Taylorcraft is one of the best flying machines ever designed. "Dollar for dollar", the poor mans flyer with class and the one which makes my dream a challenge and joy.

Since I can remember, the dream of travel was always with me. At the age of twenty-one, I came to Canada from Germany to persue my last adventure, go around the world before settling down. But love and starting a family kept slowing me down to a near stand still. Now my life has changed! The kids have grown up and are on good feet, both with a bit of travel fever in their blood. I'm alone again and ready to go on and finish what I started over 30 years ago, to go around the world. My big passion is flying, a hobby that I began soon after I came to Canada.

The mode I'll be travelling is my Taylorcraft, built in 1946, an old bird with 65 hp and lots of fun to fly, if you're not in a hurry. There will be plenty of hurdles and bumps to overcome and many months of preparing, but I'm sure it can be done. This trip will not be for record breaking, it will be my adventure and my joy and fun.

The route I'll take may change a bit depending on politics, permits or other problems, but basically my first leg will be from Canada to South America and back up to Canada. The second leg will be from Canada up through Alaska, Siberia, Australia,Asia, Africa, across Europe, over the North Atlantic and back home in 1 year.

The flight will aim for small airports and avoid the big ones (The cost is too much and they are no fun). Overnight stays will be by camping where possible and where safe or inexpensive accomodations, no luxury on this trip. (don't forget we fly a Taylorcraft on a shoestring).

I will make videos and have photo coverage of my progress and follw up with updated stories in magazines and newspapers. For extra transportation, I'll have a folding bike with me and for clothing, one "short" and one "long" pants, a couple of shirts, underwear we don't change. There will be some skimping on this trip!

I'll record the flight on the internet and invite anyone with some "Spirit" to join me for a short or long leg in their plane and be part of the adventure. The first leg starts Oct/Nov 2003, then the second leg June/July 2004.

I have done some small trips like Ottawa to Alaska, then Mexico to Florida and back up to Ottawa, a four and a half month trip in a PA 12, 115 hp engine, with my girlfriend, footloose and easy, 30 years ago, flying by the seat of my pants. I have around 1000 hours of pleasure flying, but no international or North Atlantic experience.

I would appreciate any hints and information someone could give me to accomplish this trip, like how to overcome certain challenges, permits, visa's, regulations, etc...Any help or hints are happily accepted.

Hans H. and his "Spirit".