Monday, May 20, 2013

 Youngest pilot to fly around the world: James Anthony Tan breaks Guinness World Records' record

SUBANG, Malaysia -- Flying a 30-year-old, single-engine Cessna 210 eagle aircraft, Captain James Anthony Tan, 21, from Sungai Long, Kajang, touched down at Subang airport after visiting 21 countries, completing 22,000 miles (40,000 KM) in 50 days during the "1 Malaysia Round the world Expedition (1RTW)" which sets the new world record for the Youngest pilot to fly solo around the world, according to the World Record Academy: www.worldrecordacademy.com/ .

  Photo: The 1RTW expedition was organised by the Young Pilots Association Malaysia, Malaysia Felda Youth Council and 1M4U, and Captain Tan has now been recorded in the Book of World Records as the World's Youngest pilot to fly solo around the world. ( enlarge photo )

 The Guinness world record for the youngest pilot to fly around the world was set by Walter Toledo (Brazil, b. 4 December 1991), who circumnavigated the globe in a Piper Malibu Matrix PA-46 from Goiânia, Brazil, between 8 July and 29 August 2012.

  Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the oldest active commercial pilot, set by Reginald Thomas Weaver (South Africa, b. 12 October 1932) a qualified commercial pilot since 1957. As of March 2006 he continues to fly and has completed over 6500 hours of flight.

  The 21-year-old captain said he encountered thunderstorms whereby, his aircraft had to fly into heavy rain and lightning during a flying route from Taiwan to Japan.

  "From Juno (USA) to Vancouver (Canada), I had my number one fuel pump fail, my hydraulic line leaking and my entire dashboard vibrating violently...I had no idea what was happening," he told media members after his aircraft landed on Malaysian soil.

  Above Bearing Straits, the temperature on the ground was minus-20 degree and he had to use a screwdriver to break ice which was caught in the aircraft structure and moving components.

 Through this expedition, James wants to inspire young people everywhere to leave their comfort zones and see this magnificent world.
  Also, he intends to create awareness and bring equality to special needs individuals; while at the same time, leaving a legacy so that others will dare to do the impossible.

  Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, at a special ceremony held in conjunction with Tan's return from the '1Malaysia Mission Around the World' at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) airbase in Subang, had described Tan's success in making it into the Book of World Records as a major milestone for the country.

  According to Raszlan Abdul Rashid, Acting High Commissioner of Malaysia, this programme was organised by Malaysian Youth Association and supported by Prime Minister of Malaysia Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak.
 "This (around the world flying programme) is to foster positive values among the youth," Rashid said while addressing a press conference.

  The 1RTW expedition was organised by the Young Pilots Association Malaysia, Malaysia Felda Youth Council and 1M4U.

  The world record attempt was sponsored by:  Yayasan Felda and Tenaga Nasional .

  Captain Tan was born with dyslexia and has previously been awarded "The Youngest Malaysian to fly a Single Engine Piston Aircraft in an Expedition" by the Malaysia Book of Records in 2012.