Around-the-world record attempt planned with a `You Only Live Twice` Little Nellie style gyrocopter

An Army helicopter pilot planning to fly around the world in an autogyro said today he was excited but also nervous about the project, which begins next Wednesday, reports The Scotsman.

Warrant Officer Barry Jones, 37, aims to become the first person to fly the small open-cockpit craft around the globe.

The type of light aircraft – a rotary wing aircraft with a propeller – was made famous in 1967 as Sean Connery’s gadget Little Nellie in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice.

The autogyro is the only class of aircraft yet to circumnavigate the globe and has a maximum speed of about 120mph but WO Jones aims to cruise The Eagle at 80mph.


Above: A Corgi model of `Little Nellie`.

Today as he posed for the cameras in London with the autogyro, which he has dubbed The Eagle, he said: "I’m excited but nervous. My biggest worry is if the engine fails over water. I would lose the aircraft, and I would get a swimming lesson as well."

His concern mainly centres on a 457-mile stretch from Greenland to Iceland, which should take about five hours to accomplish.

"We have taken all the steps we can to prepare for it and it’s probably a fuss over nothing," he said.

His route will also take him to such troublespots as Pakistan and Jordan but he said everything had been carefully planned.

"Transparency is the key. "All the embassies know I’m on my way and that it’s a military expedition."

And he has no fears about being able to land the craft if the engine fails over land.

"It happened once before, on take-off, and it is no problem then. I can put it down in a car parking space."

His journey, which is expected to take four months, will take him more than 25,000 miles across 25 countries.

The father-of-three, based at Dishforth, North Yorkshire, entered the record books in February last year when he flew 579 miles across the UK in seven hours and 23 minutes.

WO Jones, who usually flies Lynx helicopters with the Army Air Corps, plans to take off from Middle Wallop, Hampshire, the home of the corps next Wednesday.

"The only things likely to stop me are fog or low cloud. "I’d like a good wind at my back – that helps."

The adventure is costing £200,000, which will be raised through donations and sponsorship, and WO Jones also hopes to raise money for the Dyslexia Foundation, the NSPCC and the Red Cross September 11 Appeal.

WO Jones is leading a team of six Army soldiers whose responsibilities include maintaining the aircraft, route planning, logistics and sponsorship and charity liaison.

People wishing to make a donation to the charities are asked to visit www.globaleagle.co.uk.

Thanks to Barracuda for the alert.

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