The Porters from Canada planned a 14-month long flight around the world and are halfway in their circumnavigation. Ian Porter who has been a private pilot for around four decades, his wife Michelle, daughters Samantha, 21 and Sydney, 18, - both qualified pilots, and son Christopher, 15, started on this epic journey on the 15th of June 15, 2022 from Vancouver and have "been basically traveling every day since." Having visited around 20 countries that include United States, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, Panama, Costa Rica and Honduras, they have covered over 25,000 nautical miles till now.
A real estate developer by profession, Ian Porter always intended to spend productive time travelling with his family and came across that opportunity when his daughters Samantha and Sydney decided to take a year off. With his son Christopher subjected to remote schooling due to the pandemic it was “now or never” so once every family member was on board with the idea of travelling Ian set to accomplishing the next task – zeroing in on a suitable single-engine aircraft for the expedition.
Finding a single-engine aircraft that would accommodate five people, survival gear and a reasonable amount of luggage was not an easy task. He came across his perfect aircraft that cost him $500,000 – a Gippsaero GA8 AirVan, an aircraft manufactured in Australia that was for sale not too far from Vancouver. This aircraft can carry eight people and cruises at 220 kilometers/hour (125 knots) for up to five hours. The intention behind 'low and slow' travel is met with his aircraft where things can be stuffed and the aircraft does not go too fast.
The duties of aircraft management are assigned - while Ian is the chief pilot, his daughters - Samantha and Sydney are his co-pilots, wife Michelle is in charge of health documents and visas, and other day-to-day essentials and son Christopher takes care of their camera equipment, when he is not pursuing his education remotely.
Currently averaging around one hour of flying per day, the family have landed at more than 160 different airports!
Christmas in the Galapagos Islands, flying to Cape Horn that is known as the "southern tip" of South America, flying across rainforest fires of Amazon – are few of the experiences that have been surreal and poignant. The Porters, who are currently in Belize, are likely to head to Guatemala next, before they fly to Mexico. After which they plan to fly to Eastern Canada, then cross over the North Atlantic through Greenland, Iceland, and then across Europe. Eventually their flight course includes flying across Egypt, the Middle East, India, and Japan - covering more than 10 countries, in their epic journey of travelling the world.
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