Helicopter Circumnavigation | Robinson R-44 | Flight Plan

Helicopter circumnavigation around the world is unique opportunity to make the most exciting adventure in life of human flying by helicopter over 39 611 kilometers and visit 21 countries. Helicopter circumnavigation around the world is considered complete if a helicopter fly more than 37 000 km equal to the length of Tropic of Cancer.

With the advent of helicopters of Robinson family the opportunity to carry out world tour in a helicopter became available for many travelers around the world. Of the existing helicopter models the most suitable for trip around the world are Robinson R44 and Robinson R66.

- Roninson R44 maximum range is 555 km with cruise speed 230 km/hour
- Roninson R66 maximum range is 648 km with cruise speed 215 km/hour
- Roninson R22 maximum range is 463 km with cruise speed 175 km/hour

If you look at flight plan of helicopter circumnavigation around the world you will find that the longest journey above the water surface occurs between Iceland (Kulusuk Airport) and Greenland (Patreksfjordur Airport) and is about 600 km as well as between Canada (Pangnirtung Airport) and Greenland (Sisimiut Airport) - about 545 km. So there are limits on maximum range of a helicopter and it is necessary to install an additional fuel tank to cover such a distance. In case of Robinson R22 it should be added more larger fuel tank so this helicopter has more lower margin of fuel in case of strong headwinds.

Also becasue of these long flights above the water it is better to take Robinson R44 Marine or Robinson R66 Turbine Marine with Popout Floats. This option should be included because of the security issues in case of engine failure above the water so it is possible to land on the surface of the water on Popout Floats. It gives pilots of the helicopter more time for emergency evacuation in a raft and flooding of the helicopter will happen in more longer term which let to pick up food, water and rescue equipment.

Another important point to choose Robinson R44 and Robinson R66 is the possibility of piloting of a helicopter by two pilots at a time which reduces the overall level of fatigue and increases flight safety. High in the sky long distance flights create a great psycho-physiological stress which can easily be discharged if a nearby chair flying your friend. Simple human communication as well as the opportunity to share experiences with another person creates a pleasant atmosphere of flying helicopter.

The latest generation of helicopters Robinson comes with the option of automatic pilot. The presence of autopilot allows the helicopter flight optimally and reduces the physical burden on pilots. Autopilot also allows pilots to eat during the flight without the need for special landing.

The period of time that should be spent on helicopter circumnavigation around the world is about 200 flight hours or 45-60 days depending on the breaks between flights for sightseeing tours in different countries on the route of the flight.

To fly by helicopter 200 hours it is needed specific aviation fuel:

- Robinson R22, Robinson R44 - aviation gasoline known as Avgas or 100-LL (low-lead)
- Robinson R66 - jet fuel based on an unleaded kerosene known as Jet A-1

The cost of aviation fuel varies of the country, the airport and distance of main network of fuel supplies. For September 2015 cost of aviation fuel:

Avgas or 100-LL (low-lead) - 1.5 US dollars per liter
Jet A-1 -1.2 US dollars per liter

The average value for fuel consumption at cruising speed for helicopters:

- Roninson R44 takes 57 litres per hour or 85.5 US dollars per hour (200 hours cost - 17 100 USD)
- Roninson R66 takes 87 litres per hour or 104.4 US dollars per hour (200 hours cost - 20 880 USD)
- Roninson R22 takes 40 litres per hour or 60 US dollars per hour (230 hours cost - 13 800 USD)

Thus the cost of fuel for helicopter circumnavigation around the world is about 20 000 US dollars. Additionally need payment services at airports, visas, cost of hotels, meals, sightseeing tours in the cities upon arrival and transfer of the helicopter with cargo ship Yokohama (Japan) - Dutch Harbor (Alaska, United States of America) - another 30 000 US dollars or more.

From a rough calculation shows that the greatest costs fall not on the journey itself but for the purchase of helicopter. The cost of new helicopters in a complete set with Popout Floats according to the price of plant manufacturer of Robinson Helicopter Company in Los Angeles:

- Roninson R44 cost 490 000 US dollars
- Roninson R66 cost 891 000 US dollars
- Roninson R22 cost 285 000 US dollars (no Popout Floats option to purchase)

In order to save money there is a possibility to buy used helicopter Robinson that made up to 500-1000 flight hours. In this case average cost of used helicopter:

- Roninson R44 cost 380 000 US dollars
- Roninson R66 cost 725 000 US dollars
- Roninson R22 cost 190 000 US dollars (no Popout Floats option to purchase)

So minimal total cost of helicopter circumnavigation around the world is around 430 000 - 450 000 US dollars in case of purchase of used helicopter Roninson R44 with Popout Floats.

During helicopter circumnavigation around the world there is a possibility to visit sights and attractions of UNESCO World Heritage list:

- St. Sophia Cathedral (Ukraine)
- Ancient City of Nessebar (Bulgaria)
- Historical Monuments of Mtskheta (Geogria)
- Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower (Azerbaijan)
- State Historical and Cultural Park “Ancient Merv” (Turkmenistan)
- Historic Centre of Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
- Samarkand – Crossroad of Cultures (Uzbekistan)
- Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (China)
- Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes (Republic of Korea)
- Himeji-jo (Japan)
- Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) (Japan)
- Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration (Japan)
- Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek (United States of America)
- Olympic National Park (United States of America)
- Yosemite National Park (United States of America)
- Grand Canyon National Park (United States of America)
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park (United States of America)
- San Antonio Missions (United States of America)
- Everglades National Park (United States of America)
- Statue of Liberty (United States of America)
- Niagara Falls (not in UNESCO World Heritage) - Rideau Canal (Canada)
- Historic District of Old Québec (Canada)
- Þingvellir National Park (Iceland)
- Surtsey (Iceland)
- Heart of Neolithic Orkney (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
- The Forth Bridge (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
- Old and New Towns of Edinburgh (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
- Frontiers of the Roman Empire (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
- Durham Castle and Cathedral (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
- Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
- Tower of London (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
- Maritime Greenwich (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
- Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine's Abbey, and St Martin's Church (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
- Le Havre, the City Rebuilt by Auguste Perret (France)
- Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay (France)
- Bordeaux, Port of the Moon (France)
- Vizcaya Bridge (Spain)
- Routes of Santiago de Compostela: Camino Francés and Routes of Northern Spain (Spain)
- Tower of Hercules (Spain)
- Santiago de Compostela (Old Town) (Spain)
- Historic Centre of Guimarães (Portugal)
- Monastery of Batalha (Portugal)
- Cultural Landscape of Sintra (Portugal)
- Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon (Portugal)
- Doñana National Park (Spain)
- Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada (Spain)
- Palmeral of Elche (Spain)
- La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia (Spain)
- Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona (Spain)
- Works of Antoni Gaudí (Spain)
- Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli (Italy)
- Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto) (Italy)
- Piazza del Duomo, Pisa (Italy)
- Vatican City (Italy)
- Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura (Italy)
- 18th-Century Royal Palace at Caserta with the Park, the Aqueduct of Vanvitelli, and the San Leucio Complex (Italy)
- Historic Centre of Naples (Italy)
- Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata (Italy)
- Costiera Amalfitana (Italy)
- San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano (Italy)
- Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna (Italy)
- Venice and its Lagoon (Italy)
- Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue (Hungary)
- Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape (Hungary)

For owners of private helicopters circumnavigation around the world is a unique opportunity to test pilot art of controlling the helicopter, see the best attractions around the world of UNESCO World Heritage just in 45 days and make a personal achievement.

Enjoy your life like Ross Perot Jr. and Jay Coburn (USA) who took helicopter Bell 206L-1 LongRanger "Spirit of Texas" to complete the first round-the-world flight (1982) or Dick Smith (Australia) who made the first solo circumnavigation by helicopter (1982–1983).

Helicopter Circumnavigation | Robinson R-44 | Flight Plan and Map

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