| An international team
is preparing to re-create the first flight over
Everest. This was made in 1933 by British aviators who
used open-cockpit, single-engined aircraft for their
dramatic visit to the Himalayan skies. |
Heading for Everest in April 1933 battling fierce
winds and freezing temperatures |
Wings Over Everest
was launched recently with a special BBC TV report
featuring the manufacture of the new biplane. The
Times also covered the story because it was one of
their photographers in a heated suit who recorded the
1933 event. His pictures helped Hilary and Tenzing
plan their first conquest in 1953, fifty years after
the Wright Brothers had conquered the air. Wings Over
Everest is designed to tribute these famous landmarks
in 2003.
The new aircraft will
be named after Lady Houston who sponsored in 1933. She
was helped by an Indian maharajah whose elephants
built a runway while her aircrew waited for suitable
weather conditions over the Himalayas. This particular
factor is well understood by Wings expedition leader
Rebecca Stephens. This leading British adventurer has
not only climbed Everest but also the Seven Summits.
Her pilot is yet to be selected from many volunteers.
Project manager,
George Almond, has established an internet-based
SupportersΉ club which welcomes any individuals and
organizations who, recognizing the challenge, can lay
claim to a spirit of adventure. This, with an
affordable fee is the only requirement needed to
enroll. Certificates are provided to all who join but
an important bonus for Full Supporters is a stake in
the TV rights.
After leaving Nepal,
the aircraft will route to Tokyo where all Japanese
supporters will be invited to a special welcoming
ceremony.
 |
Rebecca Stephens MBE: She is one of the most
respected and experienced woman adventurers in the
UK. In 1993 she became the first British woman to
climb Everest and has also scaled the Seven
Summits, the highest peak in each continent of the
planet.
Flying as the principal observer, she is planning
on leading the expedition and report on each stage
of the journey from Britain to the Himalayas |
|
|
Schedule
- The
manufacture of the new aircraft continues
throughout 2002
- Testing,
certification, high altitude trials in 2003
- Departure from
the UK
- Flight to
Paris - Nice - Rome - Naples - Corfu - Athens -
Crete - Alexandria - Cairo - Amman - Bahrain -
Dubai - Muscat - Karachi - Jodhpur - Delhi -
Kathmandu
- The Flight
over Everest when conditions permit
|
The chief pilot has yet to be selected but ground
crew and operational staff are already active.
Understandably our insurance will not cover private
pilots wishing to fly the biplane which will only be
flown by experienced commercial pilots.
Apart from the
complexities involved in building a new aircraft
capable of withstanding the harsh climate of the
Himalayas, there are other diplomatic and operational
obstacles to overcome. But this is all part of the
challenge!
|
The whole adventure will be filmed for television
with your support. |
"The top of the world" |
Wings Over Everest is
still looking for Sponsors, if interested e-mail
everestnews2004@adelphia.net
|
