[Mark Vall]

Just got call from my accountant...
Hey Mark, you wealthy donkey - stop collecting money and start spending a bit...

Not bad idea from someone who should take care of my finances...
Therefore I`m sitting in leased Mooney Bravo to fly around the world
The only question is: Which direction...

I have to go from Canada to Russia, that`s for sure. But what should be the next logical step? Checking on beautiful Himalayas, spend some good time in Bangalore, splash to the ocean in Arab Emirates or just go trough Russia and take some pictures of lake Baikal and spy over the largest Russian cities? What would be your hint?

The next stop will be Canada for sure and it will take some time to fly it over... But you know - wana be prepared



The route so far:
EKCH >> EKBI
EKBI >> ENCN
ENCN >> ENHD
ENHD >> EGPB
EGPB >> EKVG - fuel stop on my Home airport is a must
EKVG >> BIRK
BIRK >> BGKK
BGKK >> BGAA

The next leg will bring me from BGAA to CYXP
Wish me luck!

[AS 2 Tom Little]

Sounds great Mark! "Spy over the largest Russian cities" - lol!

[Mark Vall]

It`s time for status update...
After a looong flight from Greenland to Canada, where my Mooney was freezing even with de-icing on, I made short detour in "Country of Marple leaf" to explore Lake Winnipeg, enjoy colorful nightlife in Edmonton and check on wonderful Rocky mountains.

Boring summary of flight legs:
BGAA >> CYXP
CYXP >> CYGL
CYGL >> CYPL
CYPL >> CYDN
CYDN >> CYXE
CYXE >> CYWM
CYWM >> CYYE
CYYE >> CYWY
CYWY >> CYVQ

The perfect flight experience dramatically changed once my Mooney crossed border with Alaska...
I won`t forget of flight CYVQ >> PABT

- PABT Ground: Mooney URM, welcome in Bettles, turn next taxiway
...
- PABT Ground: Mooney URM, taxi to Bond area, turn off the engine and stay in cockpit. NO ONE shall leave the airplane. You`re obliged to wait for Police and FDA officer
- Mark: ehhhm... Taxi to Bond area, Mooney URM
...
- Sheriff: Sir, leave your hands on the yoke. I`ll open the door. Once opened, you`ll slowly get out and turn towards the aircraft...
- Mark: Sure, officer, but...
- Sheriff: Cooperate!
I felt something cold on my wrist and heard locks clipping... Oh, Mark, you ass... Was this trip necessary?

- FDA officer: Where is the contraband? Where do you have it? What you would like to smuggle???
- Mark: What?
- Sheriff: Don`t make any fast movements, sir...
- FDA officer: Ahaaa - I knew it!!! What`s this???


- Mark: What? This? Just a traditional food from Iceland. Its called H??karl and it is fermented shark meat - actually rotting shark meat. Little bit smelly meat...
- Sheriff: Sir, you`re under arrest!



Well, after 1 night in well heated cell, I was free. All of my H??karl supplies were confiscated, I paid penalty of $50 and on top of it, I`m banned to visit this airport in the future...

Only 2 more flights and I will be in even more friendly Russia Wish me luck!
PABT >> PAEM
PAEM >> PASA

[Mark Vall]

Every good story has to end one day.

Experiencing mixture of feelings - Proud I made it, sad because this adventure is over...

BUT
Another adventure will hit the deck soon

Final legs of my journey:
PABT >> PAEM
PAEM >> PASA
Bye bye world, bye bye high-quality fuel
PASA >> UHMA
UHMA >> UHPP
UHPP >> UHSS
UHSS >> UHBB
UHBB >> UELL
UELL >> UIII
UIII >> UNKL
UNKL >> UNOO
UNOO >> USCC
USCC >> UWKD
UWKD >> UWGG
UWGG >> UUWW
UUWW >> UMKK
UMKK >> EKCH
Back on Baseline

Quick stats:
Total flights: 34
Total distance: 13,407 nm
Total flight time: 82 hours 15 minutes
Total leasing costs: 31,417.85 USD
Total fuel used: 10,631 lbs
Average landing rate: 77.79


And the whole story in big picture

[AS 2 Tom Little]

That's incredible Mark! Thanks for posting.

[AS380 Mark Richards]

That is awesome, well done Mark!