AOPA Pilot Blog: Reporting Points

New Zealand

Auckland, New Zealand

Matevž Lenarčič of Slovenia  landed safely in Tahiti on his quest to circle the world to the west in a Pipistrel aircraft, but do it by zigzagging  clear to Antarctica for environmental research and photographs for the photographer’s new book. This is what final looks like in Paradise. He had engine vibrations and leaking carburetors, and was stranded in Tahiti while Rotax engineers arrived from New Zealand. There were worse places to be trapped. Once repairs were made he flew on to New Zealand where additional engine work could be done. Then it was on to Australia where he experienced a serious in-flight structural failure.

Photos by Matevž Lenarčič 

(Click to enlarge.)

Tahiti

Rumor has it that Saddam Hussein had nearly 100 Boeing 747s, but right before the war he dispersed them to neighboring countries including six to Tunisia. World traveler Robert Gannon found two of them at the airport in Tozeur, Tunisia, tires flat. He parked his trusty Cessna 182 called Lucky Lady Too between them for a tourist shot. Gannon moves his 182 from place to place until duties call him home, and then returns to continue his adventure. CLICK PHOTO