The Beech has made it back to the UK!

The Beech is home!

Betty the Beech has finally reached the shores of Britain again after a challenging Trans-Atlantic crossing with Andrew Holman-West and Tim Darrah at the controls.

Andrew and Tim relaxing after their long sector from Wick to Southend

She is now undergoing her annual maintenance checks at Rochester. 

G-BKGM at Rochester waiting to be taken into the hangar

If you haven't seen our documentary about the expeditions that this aeroplane has done over the last 14 months, then please enjoy this 20mins film here:

On the Beech expedition

The Beech has reached Iceland after dodging severe storms around Greenland

From Greenland to Iceland

Two days ago the team managed to fly straight across the icecap from Greenland's capital Nuuk to the little airstrip at Kulusuk which we had also visited on our Trans-Atlantic tour last year.

Kulusuk Bay, Greenland  ( photo Allie, last year)

To me that was one of the most beautiful places that I had ever seen with icebergs floating in the tranquil waters, total silence wherever I walked to and wonderful views from our little hotel to the surrounding mountains.

Tim and Andrew had hoped to carry on straight to Iceland from there but they got caught in a rain storm and had to turn around, therefore spending a night in Kulusuk.

From here they dodged the weather the next day cruising up the eastern coastline of Greenland before crossing over to Iceland.

They reached Reykjavik yesterday evening after a long and challenging sector.

The next target will be the UK today, but whether the weather (!!) will allow any flying is still uncertain! Keep fingers crossed for the team! Remember to check the live tracking (see previous post and link)

finally in Iceland, Reykjavik

In Greenland!!

Arrival in Nuuk - Greenland!

Late evening arrival in Nuuk, Greenland

Tim and Andrew have made very good progress over the last few days and have reached the capital of Greenland- Nuuk - last night.

Flying over 'Bear island' heading for Iqaluit, Nanavut, Northern Canada

Arrival just before the weather closes down in Iqaluit, Canada

 Leaving the shores of northern Canada last night they had to load a big heavy drum of Avgas into the Beech as the next destination was unable to provide refuelling facilities. Luckily, the drum could just about be squeezed through the door! But what a struggle!

Loading of the Avgas drum into the  Beech

The team is hoping to cross Greenland today.  Depending on the weather they might either cross straight over the Icecap which will mean flying very high due to high terrain or going around the southern coast which is a long detour but allows a stop over in Narsarsuaq.

We are wishing Tim and Andrew the very best and safe flying on today's challenge and will be following them on the live tracker: Beechferryflight

Sunder Bay in Ontario to Kuujjuaq - Betty is back in Canada

Progress! The Beech is back in Canada!

In a long two sector flight passing US/Canadian immigration the team has entered northern Canada last night. They will be preparing to cross this vast country heading towards the north-eastern coastline at Kuujjuaq - if you can find it on your map! 

From here the plan is to head across to Greenland.

You can follow Tim and Andrew's flight on the live tracking system when they are in the air:

beech18ferryflight

 Remember that there is at least a 5-6 hours time difference.

We are wishing Tim and Andrew and Betty all the best for their next very challenging sectors!

Betty on her way home!!

The Beech is on her long and tough journey back home to the UK!

We wish the pilots Andrew Holman-West and Tim Darrah all the best and hope for favourable weather!

The team has reached northern Montana last night and will be heading to the Hudson Bay area today. A long and strenuous sector. 

Watch this short video taken by Joss the engineer of her taking off from Carson City, Nevada US.

NEW article in the August edition of FLYER!

Apologies, it's been a while since I last updated this blog but life has been extremely hectic.

Whilst I have been ballooning and instructing in Mongolia, Phil has been working hard on organizing the return of Betty to the UK.

We now have two pilots lined up to fly her back across the Atlantic but as aviation matters tend to go, nothing is straight forward and there are new hurdles to overcome day by day.

So keep fingers crossed and if things go according to plan, G-BKGM might reach the shores of this country by the 12th of August!

In the meantime, head out to your next magazine shop and get a copy of the latest FLYER magazine  which features a long article on our recent  Central American expedition. I hope you enjoy the read!

If you would like to be in touch with us, please contact us via our website:

www.gonewiththewind.uk.com
or send me an email to:
balloonjourneys@alliedunnington.co.uk

Best greetings and enjoy this marvellous summer!

Allie (and of course Phil!)

Watch this NEW exciting film with all highlights from our two expeditions!

Watch this exciting NEW film with highlights from both expeditions!

Highlights of the Beech expeditions

We give special thanks to Claire Gaynor (music) and Sarah Metcalfe (edit) for offering their support to this 20mins production.

The Beech is currently hangared in Carson City, Nevada/USA and may be available for hire, sale or use in film projects.

Do get in touch with us via our website:

www.gonewiththewind.uk.com

or send us an email: balloonjourneys@alliedunnington.co.uk

+44 7776202731

phil@gonewiththewind.uk.com

+44 7785775624