VIDEO: Cancer survivor begins round-the-world bid
A LARNE man who beat cancer has lifted off on an epic bid to become the first person to fly round the world in a gyrocopter.
Norman Surplus, 47, waved goodbye to his wife and two young children as as he made his way in the lightweight aircraft, from a playing field in
his hometown.
The gruelling expedition is expected to last four months and cover more than 20 countries, including Italy, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Russia and Canada.
Speaking earlier this month, Mr Surplus, who is a director of local firm B9 Energy, said the quirky gyrocopter is the only type of powered aircraft never to have been successfully flown round the world.
"The craft has been around since the 1920s, but was overshadowed by the emergence of the helicopter and is often seen as an interesting oddity, having appeared in films like James Bond: You Only Live Twice and Mad Max 2," he said.
"However, I want to prove that the craft can be used as a serious form of flight, and hopefully this expedition will allow the gyro to take its rightful place alongside all other types of aircraft."
Inspiration for the amazing round-the-world record bid came after a life-threatening battle with cancer.
"I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2003 and given a 40 per cent chance of survival," said Norman.
"After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy the following year, I was in hospital recovering. One day I was watching daytime TV when I saw a programme of a man restoring a gyrocopter.
"It was then that I made a promise to myself that, once I had recovered, I would learn how to fly one."
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Weather for Belfast
Wednesday 15 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
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