Vertical lift platforms, or helicopters, are typically more challenging to operate than fixed-wing aircraft. They have always necessitated a significant pilot workload and were not known for comfort or long range. Not until 1982, anyway. In September 1982, a Bell 206L LongRanger II, piloted by H. Ross Perot, Jr. and Jay W. Coburn, completed the world’s first helicopter circumnavigation of the globe. Starting in Dallas, Texas, a short drive from Bell’s Fort Worth headquarters, in the United States, the pair flew ‘The Spirit of Texas’ for 29 days, 3 hours and 8 minutes. They covered 26,000 miles (41,843 kilometers) in 246.5 flight hours, and crossed 26 countries, and 22 seas and oceans, before returning to Dallas.
The aircraft had to undergo some modifications before it was ready to embark upon its mission around the world. All non-essential features were removed and an extra fuel tank was fitted, in addition to pop-out floats, the best navigation, communication, and safety equipment available at the time. The aircraft was also painted in bright colors to enhance its visibility to other aviators.
During the incredible journey, Perot and Coburn stopped to refuel 56 times. Their route first took them north to Canada, through Greenland and Iceland; then to Europe. Departing the UK, Perot and Coburn flew over France ‘below radar’ as they could not make themselves known on the radio to the French aviation authorities, owing to their inability to speak French. They did manage a stop in Marseille, before more landings to refuel in Naples, Italy, and Athens, Greece. Next, they crossed the Mediterranean to North Africa (Egypt).
Unable to land on the Russian Kuril Islands, Perot and Coburn refueled on the American container ship, S.S. President McKcinley, in the North Pacific Ocean, dramatically landing amidst 15-foot waves and winds of 40 knots. Squally winds continued and nearly caused them trouble with fuel shortages but they were able to manage each of the final legs by a whisker – which included chasing a bear off a runway in Alaska, before making it safely back to where their starting point in Dallas, Texas.
