74-year-old flying solo around the world

Capt William M. Charney is on a mission to fly solo from New Zealand, across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Age has not dampened this septuagenarian’s enthusiasm. Charney is a Vietnam war veteran and has extensive flying experience, having clocked over 33,000 flying hours in 75 different aircrafts.

He is employing a pre-war restored single engine bi-plane named Bill’s Red Rockette to achieve this remarkable feat.

Charney is not looking to complete his journey in record time and wishes to conduct it in a leisurely and memorable manner.

"I am not racing against anything. This is a personal challenge and adventure for me as I am able to meet many people and see as many world heritage sites. And what better way than to do it flying low level!” he told New Strait Times

Charney's idea of a world tour popped up after he chanced upon a couple, Therry and Sherry Wheaton from Santa Fe, New Mexico who were on holiday in New Zealand.
 
The Wheatons were on a flying vacation on board a Cessna 172 with Flynn Tours that operated out of their own private airfield in the Lindus Pass near Wanaka on the South Island, where Charney was flying a pre-war Tiger Moth. (ANI)

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