3 June 2019
British pilot Amanda Harrison has ‘paused’ her Solo2Darwin flight in a Tiger Moth biplane at Beirut because airspace from Oman to Pakistan and India is closed below 24,000ft.
“I am gutted, and it has taken a day for me to stop crying,” said Amanda. “But I have to face up to reality. I can’t go forward right now, so I have to be patient and go again as soon as the geo-politics are sorted out. I shall be back!”
Notices to Airman (notam) issued from the Pakistan, Indian and Oman air traffic control authorities effectively close airspace to east bound flights from Oman to Pakistan and India below 24,000ft, which is way above the Tiger Moth’s ceiling.
An additional problem is that the border between India and Pakistan is closed with no firm end in sight to the closure of this airspace.
When Solo2Darwin was planned, none of these restrictions were in place, said Mike Wigg, technical support for Amanda’s flight.
“It’s like hitting a brick wall of restrictions we can’t go around,” said Mike.
“These airspace restrictions as well as the growing tension and military activity in the Persian Gulf mean that Solo2Darwin cannot continue safely for the moment.”
Stats from Amanda’s trip so far:
2 comments
So sorry to hear that you have to stop, let’s hope you can come up with a plan for later.
Best wishes Mike Derrett
Why can you not avoid Syria, Iran and Iraq by returning to Istanbul and then flying along the Northern coast of Turkey?