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 Chalkie Stobbart Made it !!! It's a new world record !! Minimize
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In May 2009 an attempt will be made to better a long-standing aviation record for light aircraft, using a GP 4 non-type certified (homebuilt) light aircraft.

Chalkie Stobbart an airline captain with South African Airways (SAA) will attempt to break the record which was set in February 1939 for a return flight between London and Cape Town, solo, using a single engined aircraft.

Cape Town –London – Cape Town

Maximum Weight :

1000kg

Time to Beat:

4 days 10 hours 16min.

Aircraft:

Osprey GP 4 ‘Homebuilt’

Click here for more stats on the airplane

When? 7th - 11th May 2009.

 

To date, the fact that no successful attempt at the record has been made, attests to the magnitude of the feat, which was accomplished by the late Alex Henshaw all those years ago, in February of 1939.

 

Cape Town to Brazzaville (Congo) to Kano (Nigeria) to Algiers (Algeria) to Southend (London, UK)
 
Flight details, all times Zulu (add 2 hours to have local RSA time)...
 
Cape Town depart 20:00 7th May - Brazzaville arrive 06:15
Brazzaville depart 07:15 8th May - Kano arrive 13:10
Kano depart 14:10 8th May - Algiers arrive 22:45
Algiers depart 23:45 8th May - Southend arrive 05:00 Saturday 9th May.
 
All assume one hour turn-around, perhaps arrive Southend a bit earlier if tech-stops are quicker.
Depart EGMC after 14 hour rest, actual departure time depends on actual arrival time.
 
Southend depart 19:00 9th May - Algiers arrive 00:15 10th May.
Algiers depart 01:15 10th May - Kano 09:50
Kano depart 10:50 10th May - Brazzaville 16:50 refuel and sleep 40 minutes.
Brazzaville depart 18:20 10th May - Cape Town 04:30 Monday 11th May.
 
3 Days, 8 Hours, 30 Minutes

 
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 Background to record Minimize

  •  Alex Henshaw's flight was documented and is available in the book "Flight of the Mew Gull" ISBN 1-84037-021-1
  • The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is an organization dedicated to the freedom of flight and the promotion of the ability of anyone to be able to build their own aircraft.
  • The route will be on the western side of Africa, as close to a great circle track as modern airways will allow, with 3 stops on the African Continent.
  • The aircraft is powered by an Aero Sport Power XP-IO-375 195hp engine. http://www.aerosportpower.com/
  • Cruise height to be 10 000 ft – 12 000 ft with oxygen supplementation for the pilot. Flight testing will determine most economical altitude, and speed.
  • In July / August 1992 Stobbart flew his 1941 Fairchild F24W-41A to Oshkosh (USA) to demonstrate the ability of antique aircraft.
  • In July 1994 Stobbart operated as co-pilot on the SAA Historic Society’s DC4 flight from Johannesburg to Oshkosh.
  • In July / August 2003 Stobbart flew his RV-6 homebuilt to Oshkosh AirVenture and back to celebrate the Centenary of Aviation.
  • Times Online Obituary for Alex Henshaw…
  • http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article1480049.ece? print=yes&randnum=1203509807953
  • Visit www.henshaw-challenge.com/ for more information and for a link to You Tube where an 8 minute video is lodged.
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 Departure and arrival. Minimize

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