Pilot(s) name(s)
First name: Paul
Surname: Straub
Nationality: USA
Nation: USA
Class of Aircraft: (single, twin, homebuilt, helicopter, ultra light, balloon…) Single
Brand: (i.e.: Beechcraft): Mooney
Model: (i.e.: Bonanza): Super 21 (Rajay turbocharger added)
Type: (i.e. A35): M20E
Name of aircraft if any (ie. Spirit of the Wind, or whatever):
Registration: N300MD
Route (Eastbound, Westbound, via the Poles): Eastbound
How did you cross the Atlantic Ocean (North, Centre, South)? Center
How did you cross the Pacific Ocean (North, Centre, South)? Center
Date of departure: August 19, 1977
Point of departure: Johnston, PA
Date of return to point of departure: September 17, 1977
Point of return: Johnston, PA
Duration: (days): 29
Duration: (flying hours): 183
Distance flown: 21,983 NM, 25,280 SM
How many overnight stops did you make? : 15
How many any additional refuelling stops, if any? : 3
How many countries did you visit (count only where overnighted)? : 13
Itinerary:
Means of communication used: HF Radio, sat telephone, e-mail by HF radio, other? : HF
Did you use any satellite tracking system? Which one ?
Flight clearances: did you obtain them all, or part of them, yourself? : No
If not, which company did you use?: AOPA obtained all
Which insurance company did you use? : Lloyds through AOPA
Which was the easiest country or region that you flew through? : Canada
Which was the most difficult? : India, (Monsoons and they put a padlock on my plane)
Which was the best airport you landed at? : Singapore (excellent inspection before the oacific crossing)
Which was the worst? : Calcutta (padlocked my plane).
Have you applied for the FAI Circumnavigator Badge/Are you thinking of doing so? : No, but I will apply
Have you set or broken any records during your RTW? : I expect I set a distance record for a Mooney (4,062 NM)
Did you create a Website about your flight? If so, what is the URL? No
General remarks about your flight:
Route: Johnstown, Munkton, Gander, Karlsrue Germany, left for Ankara but was refused overflight over Yugoslavia and Bulgaria because I was late, changed destination to Athens then Ankara, Tehran, Karachi, Calcutta, Bangkok, Singapore, Darwin. Mount Isa, Cairns, Brisbane, Suva, Pago Pago, Honolulu, Des Moines (still had 2 hours of fuel but Chicago region was below instrument minima), Johnstown.
I planned a 2 month flight but found that my mother had broken her hip when I was in Singapore so I hurried back home in 29 days.
It was much more fun before the GPS. set a course east bound from the Gander VOR and hold it to mid-atlantic when your ADF begins to pick up up BBC. The needle swings 180 ° but gradually settles down to point to England. I would call in a position report but I just hoped I was where I thought I was.
Advice to other pilots:
Have a lots of money.
Please indicate here if you agree that we may use the information contained here on the Earthrounders website: Yes
Database Flight Number:475
First name: Paul
Surname: Straub
Nationality: USA
Nation: USA
Class of Aircraft: (single, twin, homebuilt, helicopter, ultra light, balloon…) Single
Brand: (i.e.: Beechcraft): Mooney
Model: (i.e.: Bonanza): Super 21 (Rajay turbocharger added)
Type: (i.e. A35): M20E
Name of aircraft if any (ie. Spirit of the Wind, or whatever):
Registration: N300MD
Route (Eastbound, Westbound, via the Poles): Eastbound
How did you cross the Atlantic Ocean (North, Centre, South)? Center
How did you cross the Pacific Ocean (North, Centre, South)? Center
Date of departure: August 19, 1977
Point of departure: Johnston, PA
Date of return to point of departure: September 17, 1977
Point of return: Johnston, PA
Duration: (days): 29
Duration: (flying hours): 183
Distance flown: 21,983 NM, 25,280 SM
How many overnight stops did you make? : 15
How many any additional refuelling stops, if any? : 3
How many countries did you visit (count only where overnighted)? : 13
Itinerary:
Means of communication used: HF Radio, sat telephone, e-mail by HF radio, other? : HF
Did you use any satellite tracking system? Which one ?
Flight clearances: did you obtain them all, or part of them, yourself? : No
If not, which company did you use?: AOPA obtained all
Which insurance company did you use? : Lloyds through AOPA
Which was the easiest country or region that you flew through? : Canada
Which was the most difficult? : India, (Monsoons and they put a padlock on my plane)
Which was the best airport you landed at? : Singapore (excellent inspection before the oacific crossing)
Which was the worst? : Calcutta (padlocked my plane).
Have you applied for the FAI Circumnavigator Badge/Are you thinking of doing so? : No, but I will apply
Have you set or broken any records during your RTW? : I expect I set a distance record for a Mooney (4,062 NM)
Did you create a Website about your flight? If so, what is the URL? No
General remarks about your flight:
Route: Johnstown, Munkton, Gander, Karlsrue Germany, left for Ankara but was refused overflight over Yugoslavia and Bulgaria because I was late, changed destination to Athens then Ankara, Tehran, Karachi, Calcutta, Bangkok, Singapore, Darwin. Mount Isa, Cairns, Brisbane, Suva, Pago Pago, Honolulu, Des Moines (still had 2 hours of fuel but Chicago region was below instrument minima), Johnstown.
I planned a 2 month flight but found that my mother had broken her hip when I was in Singapore so I hurried back home in 29 days.
It was much more fun before the GPS. set a course east bound from the Gander VOR and hold it to mid-atlantic when your ADF begins to pick up up BBC. The needle swings 180 ° but gradually settles down to point to England. I would call in a position report but I just hoped I was where I thought I was.
Advice to other pilots:
Have a lots of money.
Please indicate here if you agree that we may use the information contained here on the Earthrounders website: Yes
Database Flight Number:475