Moments before finally switching off the engine. (foto: )
28th September Linhares Vila Velha Maricá Rio de Janeiro 568 km
When I arrived at the airport next morning at 0630, some 20 people and their bicycles were waiting beside the plane. I am moved by this enthusiasm from all quarters and now realize just how many passengers I had on board with me during the flight. As there is no fuel in Linhares, I would have to land somewhere to increase my range in case I had to deviate for bad weather on the way to Rio. This time, I made it to Vila Velha. Only 400 km to go to Rio de Janeiro. My hurry increased and I learned that the ceiling in Rio was lifting. On the way, I flew over Búzios, where I had met Margi so many years ago, and on over the salt lakes. I made a quick landing at Marica where a group of friends had come out to meet me and escort the Ximango to Jacarepaguá. Most of them were flying ultralights based at the grass runway of CEU (Ultralight Club). For reasons I cannot understand, they are not allowed to land at Jacarepaguá, even though it is only for light aviation. Thanks, buddies, for coming out to receive me. We buzzed the airport, with the Decathlon belonging to the Aeroclube do Brasil on my right wing and the ultralights behind. Then I came round and buzzed the airstrip again, this time with the engine switched off just to show the disbelievers that the Ximango loves to glide. On the third approach, it was gusting 10-15 knots across the runway (I had been through worse conditions on this voyage) and at last I put the wheels down on the tarmac. Home, darling!
Note from the team : Gerard arrived in Rio on Friday, closing the circle. He slept at home for one night and took off early next day for Belo Horizonte, for a Sunday airshow. On Sunday evening, he flew to São Paulo, arriving one day early due to a threat of bad weather. Indeed, the very next day, the city saw the most terrific rainstorm experienced since 1947, provoking much flooding! The wings of the Ximango were dismounted and the aircraft trucked to the Adventure Sports Fair in the city center, where the general public was enthralled to be able to touch the very plane they had watched every Sunday night on TV as it took on the world.
Este texto foi escrito por: Margi Moss
Last modified: outubro 2, 2001
