60 Minutes tonight

[farri]

I watched the program and I had nothing but respect and admiration for Ryan.

 

I don`t think there`s any benefit in comparing what he did to anything that has been done in the past. He achieved it by todays standards. It makes him the youngest pilot to do so and unless someone younger successfully does the same thing, he will hold the honor.....Well done Ryan.

 

Frank.

 

 

[facthunter]

So commenting about the early pilot's is not on? I'm only putting it into context. I'm not rubbishing the fact of what he did. Anyhow whatever you say. It's all too hard.

 

You know, there is an old saying. I may not like what you say but I will fight to the death for your right to have your say. Nev

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

Solo round the world pilots and sailors of any age my hats off to them.

 

Christ some of you lot need a good kick in the ass. Try giving up the remote for a week or two and do something worthwhile.

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

Why can't you just say well done to the 19yr old young guy, why is everyone so focused on what he is wearing ??? Bert Hinkler only flew from England to Australia and he was in his mid 30's I think when he did that...is this the tall poppy thing again or is this just this forum...Come on Maj give him a little credit...David

David, Bert Hinkler did a lot more than fly England to Australia once, I would suggest that you read a bit more about his impressive, and mostly unsung exploits. In much less machines by the way, than a Cirrus with the works.

 

I do give credit to Ryan for his impressive flight, as a personal triumph sure, it is something for him to be proud of at his age, and any positive aviation exposure these days is also to be applauded. A solo flight around the planet is certainly nothing to be sneezed at.

 

However in this day and age, this is not 'man going to the moon stuff ' and it's certainly not a first, as there have been several solo circumnavigations of the planet in light aircraft, in recent years by both male and female pilots.

 

One in a Midget Mustang as I recall, that aircraft now residing in the EAA museum at Oshkosh. So the only world beating 'first' that I can see is maybe the first parachute equipped, glass-cockpitted aircraft to fly round the world ?....Lets face it , he did certainly have the right aircraft in which to do it, as the Cirrus is designed for just that, and would be a comfortable ride all the way I'm sure, with the side stick, autopilot and leather seats.

 

How easily we forget the magnificent pioneering flights in the early years of the last century, most of which required much greater risk and effort, in most cases just to get off the ground !....Charles Lindbergh , our own Smitthy and his crew, Wiley post (who only had one eye ) in the Lockheed Vega, and the first to circumnavigate the globe by aircraft, plus also developing early IFR equipment along the way. Bert Hinklers long over water flights in his small DH Puss Moth. The first across the unfriendly South Atlantic by the way, and also across the Pacific in the same aircraft.

 

As far as age goes, we did have 19 year olds (and younger!) captaining large four engine bombers at night over the very unfriendly skys of Europe in WW2.

 

Plus 19 years olds flying unarmed night mission in DH Mosquitoes, many who didn't 't return after running into flak or enemy fighters.

 

I do take my hat off to Ryan for highlighting aviation in a positive manner in the media, as that is always welcome in today's climate..........................Maj...

 

 

[alf jessup]

Good to see a 19 yo country boy out doing something exciting other than playing Xbox or hooning on the roads.

 

Great effort which took maturity beyond his age, yes although he did have modern day reliable navigation and a modern day aircraft with a lot more reliable engine than the pioneers of the early days it still was a huge achievement for this country boy.

 

Well done Ryan.

 

Alf

 

 

[DGL Fox]

David, Bert Hinkler did a lot more than fly England to Australia once, I would suggest that you read a bit more about his impressive, and mostly unsung exploits. In much less machines by the way, than a Cirrus with the works.

I didn't say that's all he did Maj, he flew to Canada from England as well, I was only trying point out that Hinkler was in his 30's when he did those achievments and a lot older and with more experience that Ryan, that's all.

I am not wanting to debate who is the better pilot, you are not comparing apples with apples are you, it is like trying to compare the great Don Bradman with any of our modern day cricketers..a different era and can't be compared like that, apart from what I originally started my comments with..

 

Congrats Ryan on a great acheivement and to hold the world record of being the youngest person to go solo around the world in a single engine aircraft is something to be proud of..that's all I wanted to say..ok..

 

God.. I think some of you guys enjoy stirring people up...

 

David

 

 

[ayavner]

haha all i wanted to say is that it was on, right after the talent show. Glad everyone got to see it, its nice to see some positive coverage of light aircraft.

 

 

[Thirsty]

My mate and I flew from Adelaide to Wollongong last Thursday in our J160 to be there when Ryan arrived back where he left from 10 weeks ago. I think it was a top effort from a young guy with not much flying experience. He speaks very well and is a great ambassador for young people to get off their bums and go do something.

 

It was actually a pretty emotional moment when he parked in the shadow of the PC9's 'cause his mum and dad were both crying and happy to see their son home safe and sound.

 

A young guy doing this sort of thing gives you hope for the future :)

 

 

[DWF]

Details of Ryan's flight are here: http://www.teenworldflight.com/

 

]

 

 

 

 

DWF

 

 

 

 

 

 

[facthunter]

There are some things that are harder these days. Getting through the restricted and controlled areas etc and the different languages ( Although English is considered standard, some of the accents and wordage are challenging). I recall flying into Bankstown and they were using information GABBY on the ATIS. Does anyone recall the event. I think it was an around the world flight. Nev

 

 

[Marty_d]

14hrs over water in a single! His B@!!$ must be made of unobtainium

I think "balls" is a perfectly valid word. "Unobtainium" on the other hand should have its theoretical properties explained so we know what forces his balls were expected to resist...

 

 

[mAgNeToDrOp]

The sag of the bag is directly proportional to the motion of the ocean?

 

 

[DWF]

I think "balls" is a perfectly valid word. "Unobtainium" on the other hand should have its theoretical properties explained so we know what forces his balls were expected to resist...

"unobtainium, n. A substance having the exact high test properties required for a piece of hardware or other item of use, but not obtainable either because it theoretically cannot exist or because technology is insufficiently advanced to produce it." [from Wikipedia]

 

 

In other words it is exactly what you need/want but you can't have it. .... sound familiar?

 

 

[facthunter]

Really old motorcycles or planes are made either of unobtainium (Due to scarcity, unable to be obtained) or "fossilised" due to deterioration.( useful as a pattern). Nev

 

 

[Marty_d]

The sag of the bag is directly proportional to the motion of the ocean?

Built in turn & slip indicator.

 

 

[winsor68]

Built in turn & slip indicator.

Especially if you could spin em up like a gyro...

 

 

[Marty_d]

I actually flinched then.

 

 

[ayavner]

that'd only work if you were standing though?