Message From: Ola Ojuri
Message: Message Sent: 8/31/96 11:52 AM Subject: Just a word of encouragement Hi
guys! I was quite taken back when I got to know about your trip on TV. I don’t know
much about helicopters, but I know a lot about challenges. I wish you all the best of
luck, I have a strong belief that you will see it through. Cheers! Ola Ojuri, BalhamMessage
From: Jack Quebedeaux
Message: Message Sent: 9/1/96 10:21 PM Subject: Good Luck From The Main Plant Hello
Ron & John, It was really nice to get a chance to look over your aircraft when you
stopped over at the delivery center here in Fort Worth! It was a pleasure to help out a
little. Brought back a few memories of prepping the Spirit Of Texas many years ago. John
it wasn’t but a couple of years ago when you were saying we should get back into
flight ops and start having fun again, well here we are and it’s really great.
Don’t know if you’ve heard or not but I’m back at production flight. Hope
all goes well for you guys as you should be seeing England in another couple of days.
We’re all pulling for you here at the main plant, your endeavor makes us all very
proud here at Bell Helicopter. Take Care & Godspeed, Jack Quebedeaux P.S. By the way,
please say hello to Norm for us!
Message From: David Simard
Message: Message Sent: 9/1/96 10:21 PM Subject: M430 Trip Ron and John. From the
whole DESIGN team in Mirabel, we are very proud of what you have shown to the world so
far. We knew we had a good product the day we started the drawing to stretch the M230 and
history followed. We are still finding amazing performance from the aircraft at HGW and
high altitude. Thank you Ron to have shown this to the world. David Simard, Design Manager
- BHTC
Message From: Thomas Gillman
Message: Message Sent: 9/1/96 10:21 PM Subject: Round the world helicopter flight
Very best wishes for a successful flight, and a new record!
Message From: Dick Spivey
Message: Message Sent: 9/1/96 10:21 PM Subject: Tiltrotors are what you really
need! Hey Boys, If you had a tiltrotor, you would be back in Fort Worth by now. Have a
great time in Farnborough -- you deserve it. We’re thinking about you and can hardly
wait for you to fly the first D600 around the world....in about 2002. See you back at the
plant. Ron and Dick (the tiltrotor team)
Message From: Irene Wang
Message: Message Sent: 9/1/96 10:29 PM Subject: Congratulations! To: Ron Bower and
the crew From: ATC International Inc. We, ATC International Inc., are the exclusive agent
for Bell Helicopter Textron in China. CONGRATULATIONS AND WISH YOU SUCCESS!!! CHEERS!!!!!
Message From: Robert Baril
Message: Message Sent: 9/2/96 6:37 PM Subject: Bell 430 Congratulations for the
best trip ever! I wish I could do the same with our Cessna 210-310 one day. Robert Baril
Message From: Chuck Johnson
Message: Message Sent: 9/2/96 6:37 PM Subject: End of Trip Ron and John, Glad to
hear you are almost to England. I figured Russia would be a problem, but it sounds like
you have set a new record for difficulties encountered and surmounted on your trip. Have a
great remaining flight in the “real world”. We were glad to have been of
assistance in Anchorage. Chuck Johnson, Era Aviation, Inc.
Message From: D. L. Gold
Message: Message Sent: 8/30/96 1:50 PM Subject: Hi! Hello Mr. Bower and Mr.
Williams!! I hope you're having a good flight!!! My father is a helicopter mechanic and he
wanted me to check on your status. Good luck!!! :)
Message From: Cliff Harjo
Message: Message Sent: 8/30/96 11:50 AM Subject: By Chance Dear pilots, By and
chance do you know Ron or Roger Mothersbaugh, former(?) Bell Helicopter pilots? I’m a
“long lost cousin” trying to locate them without much success. They’re
known to travel a lot - as you guys are doing!! Best of luck, God speed, and if anyone out
there reading this knows how I can locate either of them please E-mail me! (K. Ord-Harjo
c/o cjharjo@cyberport.net) Thanks bunches!!
Message From: A Friend At Compuserve
Message: Message Sent: 8/30/96 1:28 AM Subject: Best Wishes Mr. Bower & Mr.
Williams, Good luck and fly safely.
Message From: WebMaster
Message: Check out the *Daily Reports* section to see where they stop for fuel.
Message From: David Meek
Message: Message Sent: 8/29/96 11:44 PM Subject: Rock on! Going through my latest
issue of AOPA Pilot and heard about your story. How (and where) do you refuel? What are
you doing to keep your wits about you? Wishing continued success, David
Message From: Jeff Levy
Message: Message Sent: 8/29/96 10:24 PM Subject: Its Raining in Texas Ron, Drove by
your house yesterday. The grass needs mowing! Carolyn and I are still praying for your
safe flight. Jeff & Carolyn Levy
Message From: R. Reljac
Message: Message Sent: 8/29/96 9:22 PM Subject: good luck from Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania I saw an article in the AOPA September magazine and wanted to find out more.
Wishing you good luck and a safe flight. R. Reljac, Future Pilot
Message From: Chris Miller
Message: Subject: Best Wishes Message Sent: 8/29/96 3:41 PM Good luck in your
record flight attempt from the Bose Noise Reduction Technology Group’s Technical
Support Dept. I trust you are both enjoying the “sound of silence” from the Bose
Series II aviation headset ! Are you listening to any music while flying ? I hope our
product is making the trip easier for you. Regards, Chris Miller & Curtis Jacobites
Message From: Perry Bradley
Message: Message Sent: 8/29/96 9:00 AM Subject: Live Update Ron and John, Glad to
hear the weather lifted and you are again dashing close to schedule. Sounds like a rough
time in Alaska. Hope it gave you a little time to rest, although it sounds more like you
were working harder to find a way through. I’m off to Farnborough this afternoon.
I’m still hoping you might be able to find time to give me a feed that I could use as
the basis of a story in the Show News that will appear Monday. That would be a great way
to raise awareness about your arrival, and I think people will get a kick out of the
communications capability you have onboard. Looking forward to seeing you at the briefing
Monday evening. No doubt you’ll be ready for a good long rest. Again, pleased to hear
you’re back flying. All the best for the remaining days. Hope to hear from you from
the air, and I’ll see you in England. Best, Perry Bradley
Message From: Hovig Demirdjian
Message: Message Sent: 8/28/96 10:04 PM Subject: Take Care of Normand Hi Ron, John,
and Normand, Good luck on the rest of the trip. Great crew, terrific helicopter and we
couldn’t be prouder of you guys. We’re following daily from Bell Helicopter
Textron Canada, Flight Test Department. Take care of Normand. We need our best mechanic
back. Hovig Demirdjian WebMaster's Note: Norm is the head mechanic for the Bell 430
Around-the-World flight.
Message From: Pat Foley
Message: Message Sent: 8/28/96 9:18 PM Subject: In Flight E-Mail What type of
communication equipment do you have installed that allows you to receive and transmit
E-mail messages? Godspeed, and best of luck. Regards, Pat Foley, Hurst, TX WebMaster's
Note: The crew has a laptop computer and a cellular phone that they use to access the
internet. When they are in range of a cellular phone system use it to call out. In other
areas of the world they communicate by way of a satellite phone system. You can find out
more about the satellite system at the web site of the company that provides it. Check it
out at: www.tt.dk
Message From: Bill McKeown
Message: Message Sent: 8/28/96 7:53 PM Subject: Model 430 Automatic Flight Control
System Ron & John, Hope the AFCS hangs in there and has proven useful in easing the
burden on your “epic” journey! Regards, Bill McKeown, Automatic Flight Controls
Message From: Jeff Walkinshaw
Message: Message Sent: 8/28/96 5:48 PM Subject: Best Wishes How are you doing? Dale
Cato who is a very good friend of mine told me to ask you that. He sends his best wishes.
Jeff Walkinshaw, Arlington, Texas
Message From: Mack McKee
Message: Message Sent: 8/27/96 8:14 PM Subject: Best Wishes Around-the-World
I’m a BHTI employee who just visited the web site for the first time... Looks great!
And being able to follow your journey makes it even better. I work in Data Security, so if
you find any computer viruses in the onboard software, just call! Seriously, it is great
to see the Bell name in connection with another world record and I’m happy to know
that I’m one of thousands of employees who play a (very small) role in your endeavor.
We’re proud of you - good luck, and Godspeed! Mack McKee, Arlington, TX
Message From: Bob Taylor
Message: Message Sent: 8/27/96 3:46 PM Subject: Good luck from Bob Taylor John and
Ron, Been following your progress and want to wish you the best of luck and Godspeed.
We’ll toast you both at the Ft. Wolters reunion labor day week end. Bob Taylor, Fort
Worth, Texas
Message From: Mark Fitzsimmons, World Citizen
Message: Message Sent: 8/27/96 9:31 AMSubject: G’day Ron & John from
Sydney, AustraliaOn behalf of the New South Wales branch of the Helicopter Association of
Australia, I would like to wish you both a safe remainder of your trip back to the U.K.
Good luck & well done in attempting this great event in the continuing evolution of
one of mans greatest inventions! Best wishes, Mark Fitzsimmons“Safety dwells with the
man who flies his bird as safe as he can”
Message From: Roy Morgan
Message: Message Sent: 8/27/96 1:20 AM Subject: Meeting You In Stockholm Ron Bower
and John Williams, I trust all is well and I’m looking forward (with great
anticipation) to meeting you at Stockholm. It may be helpful for you to know I weigh 175#
fully dressed and have only 11# of luggage with me for a total flight weight of 186#. Best
wishes on your fantastic flight!!! Roy Morgan, Denver, Colorado USA
Message From: Someone in Canada
Message: Message Sent: 8/26/96 11:16 PM Subject: Bell 430 around the world Good
Luck Guys.... Stop by TO. EH!!!
Message From: Tom Hyde
Message: Message Sent: 8/26/96 2:02 PM Subject: Greetings from The Bell Helicopter
Textron Customer Training Hello Ron and John, Loren Doughty and Gary Young asked me to
send you this message: You are an asset to the aviation community and in particular, Bell
Helicopter Textron. We, at the Customer Training Academy, are very proud of you and wish
you every success in this great endeavor. Thank you, Tom Hyde on behalf of Loren Doughty
and Gary Young.
Message From: Jimmy Cardin & Mark Coles
Message: Message Sent: 8/26/96 12:54 PM Subject: Charter AOG Flight Requirements
Hello guys, just a reminder -- remember that if you ever need us to charter a Learjet to
fly emergency parts wherever you might be, we need to know the exact location of the
nearest airport and the length of the runway strip. Hopefully we won't have to think about
this! We hope the weather is nice! Take care! We're following you every day. Jimmy Cardin
& Mark Coles
Message From: 417 Squadron
Message: Message Sent: 8/26/96 11:59 AM Subject: Trip Good luck from the CH146
drivers at 417 Sqn Cold Lake Alberta, Canada!
Message From: The Concorde Crew
Message: Message Sent: 8/26/96 8:54 AMSubject: Keeping Warm Over Bering StraitDear
Ron & John: Hi there. Bet you guys are glad to have those thermal suits now... We are
proud to see how well you are doing. Keep up the great work; we’re with you all of
the way! Happy Flying.The Concorde Crew
Message From: Castlebar Fire Station
Message: Message Sent: 8/26/96 8:47 AM Subject: Greetings From The Mayo Fire
Service in Ireland How are the boys? It is I, WonderKen, and I was delighted to learn of
your endeavour to fly around the world. I, of course, have made this trip many many times,
and am now well used to it. I just wanted to let you know that I will be flying over
Siberia soon, and I hope to see you then. Look out for me. I am the one with red
underpants over blue trousers, and I wear a big K on my muscular chest. Seriously, we are
all rooting for you and your amazing flight of fancy around the world. If you are
unfortunate enough to have to autorotate over Ireland give us a call and we will take care
of you. All the best and good luck.
Message From: John Zugschwert
Message: Message Sent: 8/26/96 7:30 AM Subject: Great Work! Ron/John, Continue to
follow your progress, along with the rest of the world. You guys do great work! All our
thoughts and hopes are pulling for you. While I’ll miss Farnborough this year for the
first time in many, I know you all will be a big hit and make another major contribution
to the continued success of the vertical flight industry. Hope the 430 had room for a
portable toilet seat. Best Regards.
Message From: WBIR Channel 10
Message: Message Sent: 8/26/96 6:16 AM Subject: World Record Chopper Trip Hello
from Knoxville again! Just a follow up from the last message. We showed your e-mail
address on our morning show - so don’t be surprised if you get mail from our area.
Folks are very interested in your progress. Hope all is going well. Best of Luck! Robin
Wilhoit, WBIR-TV10
Message From: WBIR Channel 10
Message: Message Sent: 8/26/96 6:01 AM Subject: Trip Around the World Hey guys,
Hope your travels are going well. We met, via electronic broadcast, in Knoxville.
We’re the crew from WBIR - Gene, Robin and Mark. Again wishing you well ... and if
you get a chance drop us a line to let us know how you’re doing. Your friends at
Action Ten News Today.
Message From: Fer
Message: Message Sent: 8/25/96 6:48 PM Subject: Around The World Flight Hello Ron:
I complete my stage in Austin Jet. It was nice to work in your company with so agreeable
colleague. I’m following your trip via Internet, is very exciting. I wish you a
“CAWOK” fly and a happy end.
Message From: Dan Prairie
Message: Message Sent: 8/25/96 5:58 PMSubject: Greetings from BrasilDear Ron &
John, Have been following your progress and seems to be doing really good. The Bell 430 is
a great machine. I’ve been with the Latino Demonstrator S/N 49003 since the 9th of
July and it certainly has gained my respect. Everyone’s comment is that it is not a
helicopter, but an airplane. Best of luck to you both and may the Helicopter Gods look
over you! From the land of Bossa Nova, Dan Prairie, Senior Customer Support Rep., Brasil -
Bolivia - Paraguay, Bell Technical Services, Inc.
Message From: Sammy Bernard
Message: Message Sent: 8/25/96 5:13 PM Subject: Best Wishes Hi Ron and John:
Thought I’d wish you well this Sunday morning and am following you on the net. Best
Wishes and Our Thoughts are all with you. Your friend, Sammy Bernard, Commercial
Applications and Marketing Support, Bell Helicopter.
Message From: John M. King
Message: Message Sent: 8/25/96 5:13 PM Subject: Best Wishes and God’s Speed To
The Crew of N430Q Dear Ron and John, Just wanted to wish you the best and pray God’s
speed over you from all the personnel at Houston Police Helicopter Patrol Division, the
Airborne Law Enforcement Association & Helicopter Operators of Texas. Hope to get a
chance to see y’all after your return. Hopefully opportunity will allow you to speak
before one of these groups about your adventure. God Bless You, John M. King, Lieutenant,
Houston Police Helicopter Patrol Division
Message From: Jeff Levy
Message: Message Sent: 8/25/96 5:12 PM Subject: Following the Progress Still
praying for you guys. Jeff & Carolyn Levy
Message From: Blair Dietering
Message: Message Sent: 8/25/96 5:12 PM Subject: Austin American Statesman newspaper
Hi Ron, This is Blair Dietering. Before I go raising the dead at the Austin American
Statesman newspaper. I’ve got to ask one question. Did you go and make them mad or
something? I have yet to see anything about your flight in the newspaper. It’s
beginning to get me steamed. The guy you saw at Austin the other day was a free-lance
photographer for a major news agency. Later, Blair.
Message From: Chris Christensen
Message: Message Sent: 8/25/96 5:12 PM Subject: Not enough e-mail!! Checked out the
messages sent and determined that you haven’t received enough. From all the members
of the Vietnam Helicopter Flight Crew Members Net, and from the Vietnam Helicopter Crew
Members Association, all of us one of your own - God speed we’re watching you. Might
mention one of our former PP’s wanted to know why anyone would want to fly backwards
around the world? Tongue in cheek?? For the guys at Plant 5a-America who put all the good
stuff together to make it go - we’re proud of you showing the way. You going to have
the time - try www.vhfcn.org and it would beinteresting to see if you could show up on the
Chat Room. Chris Christensen, The Bigfoot, Dept PK
Message From: L. D. Garrett
Message: Message Sent: 8/25/96 5:12 PMSubject: Good Luck and God Speed!My
son-in-law, Tim Flanagan who works at Austin Jet, has kept me informed about your plans
and status. Thanks to him I can now follow your progress on the net. Good Luck and God
Speed!
Message From: Ray Atnip
Message: Message Sent: 8/25/96 5:12 PM Subject: You will do it! God speed you on
your incredible journey! Ray Atnip, Flower Mound, Texas
Message From: Bob Eighmie
Message: Message Sent: 8/25/96 5:12 PM Subject: Bell 430 around the world flight
Hi! I’m the photographer from the Miami Herald that you took for a ride up Ft.
Lauderdale Beach about a month ago. Wish you the best of luck and hope you set that new
record. I’ll be monitoring your progress on the net. Bob Eighmie - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Message From: Greg Akers
Message: Message Sent: 8/23/96 6:52 PM Subject: Alliance Stopover Dear Ron &
John, I was the controller working you both into and out of AFW Thursday afternoon. I felt
honored to be a part of your endeavor. I apologize for not recognizing your call sign on
initial call. I thought you were just another helicopter until you asked about the
welcoming party. I wanted to run down and get a picture with you guys and shake your hand
while you were down there with Ross and Dub. Unfortunately I couldn’t get a break
from position. That sure is a gorgeous machine you guys have there and it sounded great
during your low pass. I particular liked seeing *ALLIANCE* written on the side. Again,
happy tail winds. Your fellow Hover Lover, Greg Akers, Air Traffic Control Specialist,
Alliance Air Traffic Control Tower
Message From: Kevin Gregory
Message: Message Sent: 8/23/96 6:28 PMSubject: NASA RendezvousRon, Z Team here
again. We look forward to seeing you at KSAC. Good flying, we’ll see you
tomorrow.Kevin Gregory, NASA Ames Research Center
Message From: Matthew Cordner
Message: Message Sent: 8/23/96 5:52 PM Subject: Greetings from NPDC Ron & John:
Greetings from your friends from Bell’s New Product Development Center. Glad we could
help you out last night, it’s always a pleasure. Best wishes and may the wind always
be at your back. Matt Cordner
Message From: Wilhelm, Stig, Michael and Peter
Message: Message Sent: 8/23/96 3:43 PM Subject: Greetings from your friends in Nuuk
(Greenland) Dear Ron & John, Greetings from your friends at Greenlandair. We are
pulling for you. Hope all is going well for you. Thanks for the ride, it was amazing to
try your Cadillac of a helicopter. Hope to see you soon again. Wilhelm, Stig, Michael and
Peter
Message From: Sean Ginley
Message: Message Sent: 8/23/96 3:07 PM Subject: Bell 430 RTW Attempt. Hi Ron and
John, I saw your record attempt article on our local news programme last week (London
Tonight) and looked up your Web Pages as a result. (Real Good.) Hope all is going well up
there and I hope that you smash the current record. Look forward to seeing you and the
Bell 430 when you return to Farnborough in a few weeks. I have one question for you, Why
does your 430 have skids as landing gear instead of retractable wheels? Hope to hear from
you if you have time. Good Luck with the rest of the flight and HAPPY LANDINGS. Regards,
Sean Ginley, Bucks, UK P.S. Contact Farnborough Approach on 134.35 !!!! :)WebMaster's
Note: Retractable wheels weigh more than skid gear. For this kind of long distance flight,
the crew preferred to carry more fuel, and go with the lighter skid landing gear.
Message From: Rose and Mike Gross
Message: Message Sent: 8/23/96 11:03 AM Subject: “God’s Speed” Hi
John & Ron! From a retired Air Force pilot and former Manager of Safety & Fire
Prevention, and sometimes weatherman, the Gross family wishes both of you the very best on
the rest of your journey and may God Bless. Rose and Mike Gross
Message From: Magnus Guslason
Message: Message Sent: 8/23/96 6:00 AM Subject: Iceland calling! Message to the
Bell 430 Crew: Hello Ron Bower and John Williams! I am Magnus, the Icelandic amateur video
cameraman and the last one who said good-bye to you when you left Iceland. I live in
Hafnarfjordur (next town to Reykjavik) and I and my wife went for a drive on the
countryside last weekend. On Saturday we had been driving around the glacier
“Snaefellsjokull” in the west of Iceland and we saw many interesting and strange
things in the nature there. We were a little bit tired after 3 hours walk in a difficult
lava landscape and now in our car we were resting. In the radio-news we heard about the
helicopter flight around the world, it was said that they had been in Reykjavik at 17.30.
I said to my wife that I had read something about this flight in the newspaper, then
suddenly my wife said: Look, there they are. And the helicopter came over us, where we had
stopped our car, and it sat down in less than 100 meters distance from us. And the crew,
which I learned later that was Mr. Bower and Mr. Williams, came out and with fast hands
they were filling up their big bird with jet-fuel. Ron Bower told me it was OK to look
around and also to put them on my videotape as part of the travel movie I was making for
me and my wife. When I looked into the pilots area in the Bell 430 and saw all the
complicated tools and meters I was glad that I was only travelling around in my own car
and not this big Bell helicopter-bird. The big high-technical Bell-bird was surely an
unexpected extension to our day's adventure, something so far from anything we expected to
see in the quiet nature at Snaefellsjokull. So thanks to you for this. Since then I have
been surfing your Bell web site and watching where you have been and what your plans are
day for day. Hope to hear from you. Best wishes, and have safe but speedy trip, Magnus.
Message From: Mark Bregenzer
Message: Message Sent: 8/22/96 4:25 PMSubject: Welcome back to Ft. WorthHi! John,
Hope everything got to England in good shape for your takeoff. Looking forward to keeping
track of where you are in the coming days. Let Shipping know if you need anything
prepositioned in your route (Cookies, M&M’s etc.) and we will take care of you.
See you when you get back .Mark Bregenzer, Supervisor, Shipping Dept.
Message From: Robert Bou
Message: Message Sent: 8/22/96 2:18 PM Subject: Equipment Check Ron & John,
It’s great to see that the mission is on schedule! How is our equipment holding up?
Robert Bou, Vibrant Graphics, Inc.
Message From: John Boyle
Message: Message Sent: 8/22/96 12:52 PM Subject: world flight As a helicopter
student pilot (in a Bell 47G), I wish I was with you. Viewing the world by helicopter is
always a joy, one I’ll never tire of. Your flight will demonstrate the reliability
and safety of today's machines to people all over the world. Good luck and God speed. John
Boyle
Message From: Greg M. Johnson
Message: Greg M. Johnson Message Sent: 8/22/96 2:04 AM Subject: Still with you lads
!! Hi guys, Following your progress daily on the net. How’s the ride? Regards, Greg
Johnson
Message From: Charlie Bathman
Message: Message Sent: 8/22/96 12:30 AM Subject: Best Wishes Dear Ron and John,
Congratulations on your superb progress to date. All the crew from the FSI Bell Learning
Center wish you all the best. Was wondering what your average fuel consumption has been to
date. All the best of continued success. Charlie Bathman
Message From: Joe Palmer
Message: Joe Palmer Message Sent: 8/21/96 7:02 PM Subject: Allison Engine Company
Stop Just a short note to say thanks for the stop an Allison’s today it’s a real
morale booster to see one of our products in another World record setting attempt. Joe
Palmer, Greenwood Indiana WebMaster's Note: The Bell 430 is powered by two Allison 250-C40
turbine engines, made by the Allison Engine Company in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Message From: Doug
Message: Message Sent 8/21/96 1:06 PMSubject: Hello up there!Hello to Ron and John,
I read the article in our local Tallahassee paper and thought I would check out your web
page. Pretty cool!! Wish you guys a safe trip.
Message From: Jimmy Cardin & Mark Coles
Message: Message Sent 8/21/96 8:26 AM Subject: Message from Bell Helicopter Textron
Canada Traffic Team at Mirabel Hello guys! Please take not of our E-mail address, in case
you have to communicate with us. The address is: traffic@bhtc.com Keep it up!! (The
helicopter, that is!) and take care of yourselves! Jimmy Cardin & Mark Coles
Message From: John T. Scott
Message: Message Sent 8/20/96 9:51 PM Subject: Godspeed from Downeast! Just wanted
to wish you both the best of luck on your quest! I live in Maine and was made aware of
your trip on the local news. My brother lives in D.C and we both will be “riding
shotgun” with you through the Internet! I’m thrilled to be able to share in this
small way your Great Adventure... Good luck, and may the wind be at your backs! John T.
Scott, Augusta, Maine, USA
Message From: Carl Hubbell
Message: Message Sent 8/20/96 9:38 PM Subject: Bell 430 Around the World Flight Hi
Ron and John, We here at Air Logistics in Louisiana are rooting for you and following you
on the Internet, Good Luck. Carl Hubbell, Air Logistics, New Iberia, La 70560
Message From: Jeff Wilson
Message: Message Sent 8/20/96 6:07 PM Subject: Austin Tower Ron, Thanks for taking
the time to help us with the video for Jim Johnson’s retirement from Austin Tower
last month, and thanks again for sharing a ride for me and a few of the controllers around
Austin. We’re keeping up with you guys via the Web...and remember...HOLD SHORT OF
13R! Jeff Wilson, Air traffic supervisor, Austin Tower
Message From: Gary and Rainer
Message: Message Sent 8/20/96 5:08 PM Subject: Congratulations Hi Ron, Hi John,
Greetings from Bell Customers 212 CO Class Gary and Rainer. We are expecting you back
soon. With kind regards, Gary / Rainer
Message From: Perry Bradley
Message: Message Sent 8/20/96 5:08 PMSubject: Hello FlightRon and John, Thanks
again for the opportunity to ride shotgun. It was a great experience - I still can’t
get over the equipment - both the helicopter itself as well as the “mission
package.” I just checked your position on Thrane and Thrane’s homepage - looks
like an early start. I don’t suppose you had peaches for lunch? Looking forward to
seeing you again in the U.K., and I hope to hear from you via fax from Russia. Between
your 16-day circumnavigation and all this communication capability, it sure seems like a
small world. All the best for the remainder of the flight. Keep the brown side down,
Cheers, PerryWebMaster's Note:The URL for Thrane and Thrane is: www.tt.dk
Message From: Paula Tibbetts
Message: Message Sent 8/20/96 2:31 PM Subject: Hello! My name is Paula Tibbetts and
I am from North Conway, New Hampshire. I was watch ing our local news at noon today and
they had a segment about you. I copied down the URL and checked you out. What a great job
you are doing. The helicopter is awesome! Good luck and I know that you will reach your
goal!
Message From: Cliff Stowers
Message: Message Sent 8/20/96 2:00 PM Priority: Normal Subject: Bell Helicopter
World Trip Hope your visit to Maine first reminds us all that Maine is the first-hi. Have
a great trip you lucky people. Wistfully yours, Cliff Stowers
Message From: Phil Sears
Message: Message Sent: 8/20/96 12:55 PM Subject: Tallahassee Stop Looking forward
to taking photos of you guys in an hour. Good luck! Phil Sears, photographer, Tallahassee
(FL) Democrat
Message From: R.Grayson
Message: If this flight is supposed to be a speed record, then why are Ron and John
zig-zagging all over the United States? WebMaster Reply: There are two reasons. FIRST, in
order to set a record that is recognized as an "around-the-world" flight record,
the total flight distance must be equal to or greater than the distance around the world
at the Tropic of Cancer. (The Tropic of Cancer, in case you didn't know, is a parallel of
latitude at 23°27' north of the equator. It delineates the northernmost point at which
the sun can appear directly overhead at noon. At the tropic of Cancer, the sun's rays
strike the earth vertically on one day a year - on the summer solstice - about June 21.)
Since helicopters do not have sufficient range to fly across large oceans, to fly around
the world a helicopter has to take a shorter northerly route, over land. The reason for
the zig-zagging itinerary is to accumulate a total flight distance long enough to qualify
for the "around-the-world" record status. SECOND, since a considerable amount of
zig-zagging was required anyway, the crew decided to do most of this over the United
States where friends are close by, and airports with fuel are numerous. The route was
planned so that the Bell 430 will stop in or fly over 49 of the 50 states (sorry Hawaii)
during the course of its flight around the world.
Message From: Donald A. Seavey
Message: Message Sent 8/19/96 9:31 PM Subject: Portland, Maine Stop Hi Guys! So
nice to see you both today at the Portland, Maine Jetport. I am one of the TV News
Videographers that was there. I represented WMTW TV8 the “ABC” station in Maine.
We aired a “VO/SOT” at the 5pm & 6pm newscasts. (thats where our viewers see
the video with the anchors reading copy about your flight, then we dissolve to a
“sound bite”, thats you talking). Thanks to a beautiful day and the most
beautiful chopper I have ever seen, I think you would be proud of the video I shot, but
thats not all!!! My reporter is “packaging” the story for the 11pm newscast. Her
report should be 1:30 or longer with both of you speaking, in this form she has the time
to really tell your story and what you are attempting to do. She was excited about your
quest and fought to do the story for the late news. I hope the editor does my video
justice, we’ll see in about an hour. Good fortune, God Speed, I’m with you (on
the internet). Donald A. Seavey
Message From: WebMaster
Message: The original schedule for the Bell 430 trip is contained in the *Daily
Reports* section of the web page. The sequence of stops will pretty much stay the same,
except for weather problems, but the timing will change from hour to hour. We will try to
keep the most up-to-date information posted.
Message From: Jeff Levy
Message: Message Sent 8/17/96 10:56 PM Subject: Flight Path I would like to follow
the trip with push pins on the same world map as the 1st flight. Can you give me the
flight plan? Thanks. Jeff Levy
Message From: WebMaster
Message: We'll certainly have a look at the clock.
Message From: Sverrir Thorhallsson
Message: Message Sent 8/17/96 7:36 PM Subject: Elapsed timer bug You flew over my
house in Reykjavik this afternoon and I learned about the flight from a local news
broadcast where you were interviewed. It mentioned that the flight could be tracked on the
Internet at www.bellhelicopter.textron.com. I also found a more detailed report on your
flight on CompuServe. When I logged on to the homepage for more information on your
flight, you had a ticking clock of elapsed time into the flight. I can only hope that your
flying machine does not have software of the quality of that timer. The software bug is
probably due an error in the Java applet that calculates the time of flight, based on the
internal computer clock of each user. My son recently programmed a similar Java applet for
countdown to the first showing of the movie ID4 in Iceland. Hope nothing more serious
comes up during your trip! Best regards, Sverrir Thorhallsson, Reykjavik, Iceland
Message From: Jeff & Carolyn Levy
Message: Message Sent 8/17/96 10:40 PM Subject: Praying for your Flight Carolyn and
I will be following your flight daily and praying for you both along the way.
Message From: Gudny (in Iceland)
Message: Message Sent 8/18/96 7:53 AM Subject: Location Hi Ron and John. It was so
nice to see you yesterday in Hofn (Iceland) and I hope you have had a good flight so far.
I might be in touch again and I would be pleased to hear from you. The other lady sends
her best too. Good luck! From Gudny
Message From: Chris Wilson
Message: Message Sent 8/18/96 10:56 AMSubject: Round the world flightRon, My name
is Chris Wilson and I refuelled your machine at the Newcastle (UK) stopover. I am sending
this, just to wish you the best of luck. I will be following your progress. Best wishes
from all at Conoco, Newcastle Airport.
Message From: Ron Bower
Message: We will be carrying about 400 gallons of jet fuel. The calculated range is
409 nm (564.3m), burning about 95 gallons per hour. Therefore, we can fly a little over
four hours before fuel exhaustion. Since we plan to land with at least 30 minutes of fuel
as a reserve for weather or wind, we can plan on flight logs of 3 1/2 hours at 140 knots
(161 mph). David Lutes over at HAI has posted a list of frequently asked questions about
the Bell 430 Around-the-World trip. You can read these on their web site at: www.rotor.com
Message From: Mike Schena Age 8
Message: Message Sent 8/18/96 8:06 PM Subject: Technical Question How far can you
go on a tank of gas, and what do you eat while your flying? Mike
Message From: WebMaster
Message: The people at Thrane & Thrane are helping us to track the progress of
the helicopter. You can see a map on their web site that shows the current location,
minute by minute. www.tt.dk
Message From: Gudny and Gunnthora
Message: Message Sent 8/19/96 6:48 AM Hi Ron. I wonder where you are now I have
been reading your schedules and because of the time difference I have been rather
confused. Best wishes from both of us. Gudny and Gunnthora
Message From: Ron Bower
Message: We will carry dried fruit, granola bars, and Army freeze-dried food called
"MRE's", (Meals Ready to Eat). When we can, we will have a meal, or food ready
for us when we land at an airport, particularly in the U.S. This scenario is not available
in Russia. We expect to lose 10-15 pounds on the trip.
Message From: Alan Campbell
Message: Message Sent 8/17/96 9:22 AMSubject: ProvisionsWhat provisions have you
made for a long stay in a helicopter?
Message From: John Wright
Message: Message Sent 8/17/96 2:12 PM Subject: Fuel in Iqaluit, NWT So, how did the
fueling situation in Igaluit go? Aren’t surprises wonderful? Regards, John
Wright@Classic Meadow Farm
Message From: Sumarlidi Einar Dadason
Message: Message Sent 8/17/96 3:15 PM Subject: Greetings from Iceland! I send you
greetings from Akureyri (Iceland). I saw you in the news 19:20 (local TV in Iceland -
Channel 2) and I heard that you are trying to break a speed record - I hope you make it!
:) Kindest regards, Sumarlidi Einar Dadason P.S. I saw your E-mail address on the side of
the helicopter on TV.
Message From: Henry Salmon
Message: Message Sent 8/15/96 2:07 PM Dear Ron, I met you with my father at
Fairoaks on Wednesday. I just wanted to wish you and John a safe trip. Good Luck! Henry
Salmon
Message From: John & Donna Wright
Message: Message Sent 8/16/96 8:44 AM Subject: Digital Camera use over Russia
Greetings from your friends and fans at Bell Helicopter! Will you be able to use the
digital camara and transmit via modem while transiting Russia? We are all ready to start
and follow this historic journey with you via the new Bell web site. Have a safe, speedy
and fun trip. Best wishes from John & Donna Wright & Classic Meadow Farm
Message From: WebMaster
Message: The original schedule for the Bell 430 arrival in Phoenix, Arizona is
10:18 am at Sky Harbor Airport, with a plan to leave again at 11:00 am on their way to
Burbank, California. Please understand that this or any schedule will be moved *forward*
or *back* hours or even *days* depending on weather and other factors along the flight.
Please check the web site from time to time for the most recent information.
Message From: Ken Klinkert :)
Message: Message Sent 8/15/96 2:07 PMSubject: ItineraryCan I find out the expected
day and time of arrival in Phoenix, Arizona? Will landing be at Sky Harbor, Deer Valley or
Litchfield airports? Will individuals have an opportunity to see the Bell 430 up close?
Message From: warrior@aldus.northnet.org
Message: Message Sent 8/13/96 9:10 AM Subject: Good Luck Wish you best of luck from
BHTI @ Ft. Drum, NY MTS
Message From: WebMaster
Message: Note The original schedule for the Bell 430 arrival in Austin, Texas was
7:48 am on August 23rd, leaving again at 8:30 am on their way to Lubbock, TX. They are now
ahead of schedule. Please understand that this or any schedule will be moved *forward* or
*back* hours or even *days* depending on weather and other factors along the flight.
Please check the web site from time to time for the most recent information.
Message From: Tim Flanagan
Message: Message Sent 8/13/96 9:09 AM Subject: Good Luck Ron! Hi Ron, This is Tim
Flanagan, aka Bud. I was wondering how long your stop in Austin will be? Will you be
landing by the shop? What day, time? Would like to stop by and say hello. Take care &
have a great trip. Drop an E-mail if you find the time. Bud P.S. Give my regards to John
& Norm.
Message From: James McLane
Message: Good Luck and God Speed
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