www.PSFmagazine.com | September-October 2019 | 35 34 | September-October 2019 | Powered Sport Flying FOOTHILL SPORT AVIATION Cameron Park CALIFORNIA WOODS AVIATION Watts Woodland Airport CALIFORNIA LONE STAR MAGNIGYRO Taylor Municipal Airport TEXAS MAGNI FLIGHT LLC Jack Edwards Airport (KJKA) Alabama CAPE COPTERS Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport MISSOURI MAGNI GYRO U.S.A. Perryville Municipal Airport MISSOURI MAKERS OF EXPERIENCE U.S.A. high-quality Italian products, likeMagni gyroplanes, in ITALIAN FLYING TECHNOLOGY MAGNI GYRO s.r.l. - Tel. +39 0331 274816 - Fax+39 0331 274817 - www.magnigyro.com- info@magnigyro.co Support Our Advertisers He had company on his trek across Russia. I’ll tell you about that in a moment. You can just imagine all the things he’s seen along his travels, and if you were following him online, (jimketchell.net) you are one of many who flew with him vicariously. He describes flying across the Bering Straits and crossing the dateline as magical. His flight around (actually under—but keep this quiet) the Golden Gate Bridge was equally memorable. And the people he’s met along the way have been fantastic. James told me that this whole adventure was really about inspiring kids to pursue their goals and dreams and to shed light on the capability of gyroplanes. While he was at it, he also wanted to bring awareness to two children’s charities, Kindled Spirit and Over the Wall. Kindled Spirit supports victims of trafficking, and Over the Wall supports children and young people who face serious health challenges. James knows a thing or two about this as he faced his own health challenges following a severe motorcycle accident that left him with two broken legs and a badly smashed ankle—and the prospect of never walking again. Odds that he overcame with persistence and a positive attitude. Gyroplane Record Attempt that I couldn’ t pay for the gyro just yet. Luca and Vittorio Magni said, ‘It ’s OK. We understand what you’re trying to do.’ It was then that I knew I was working with the best people.” While preparing for the trip, James kept plugging away to secure funding, and sure enough he found several sponsors, and was able to pay for the gyro in full. March 31, 2019, James set out on his journey. At Oshkosh, James’ adventure was 75% complete, and he had flown in and around Europe, crossed Siberia and the Bering Straits from Russia to Alaska, then Canada, and now the mainland U.S. He has the Atlantic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to go before returning home.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUwNDI3MA==