Antipodes
Four points, two of them exactly opposite the other two, and the long way round the world in between. This is the strict definition of going round: not merely crossing every meridian, but touching two pairs of points on opposite sides of the Earth. Only two aircraft have ever managed it, both Robinson R66 helicopters — Palembang and Neiva in 2017, Bichura and El Calafate in 2024 — and this route takes all four of their points.
Fly it east-about. Down through Central America to Colombia, the length of South America to Patagonia, then back north and across the Atlantic the sensible way — Goose Bay, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland — and on through Europe and Asia to Sumatra. North to Lake Baikal, and home over Siberia, the Bering Strait and Alaska. Every meridian, both antipodal pairs, and no stretch of open water longer than 869 miles, which the Cirrus will do on the tanks it came with.
Refuelling stops cost you nothing here: five checkpoints, as many landings as it takes. Nor is anyone expected to fly it alone. Take whatever leg gets the aeroplane closer to the next checkpoint and leave it where it lands — somebody else signs it out on Tuesday and moves it further along, and the whole thing goes round the world in the hands of whoever had an evening free.
- Aircraft
- N22FC Cirrus SR22T (S22T)
- Origin
- KVNY
- Now at
- KOKB
- Status
- active
- SKNV
- SAWC
- WIPP
- UIUU
- KVNY
Crew
- EmergencyButterVATSIM
Legs
| # | Route | Pilot | Distance | When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KVNY → KTOA | EmergencyButterVATSIM | 33 NM | 18 Sep 21:54Z |
| 2 | KTOA → KOKB | EmergencyButterVATSIM | 78 NM | 19 Sep 15:48Z |