Record-breaking flight grounded until 2011
LARNE adventurer Norman Surplus has been forced to temporarily abandon his epic round-the-world journey in the face of extreme weather.
The 47-year-old cancer survivor – who is attempting to become the first person to fly around the world in a gyrocopter – had to cut short his record-breaking trip when it became clear that he would be unable to battle through the harsh winter conditions of the Bering Sea and North Atlantic in an open cockpit.
Norman has decided to suspend his expedition until spring 2011, allowing him to return home to his family for the first time in six months. And the ever-optimistic father-of-two said he is looking forward to the prospect of carrying on his adventure next year.
DON'T MISS THE FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S LARNE TIMES