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On a helicopter odyssey

Our Bureau

CALCUTTA, June 18

EIGHTY-SIX days round the world on a Robinson R44; and few heliports to come by. That's the odyssey of Ms. Jennifer Murray, a 60-year-old grandmother who is attempting to become the first woman to fly round the world solo in a helicopter.

Eighteen days after she took off from the UK, Ms. Murray is convinced that, unlike in the UK and Europe, heliports are hard to come by in this part of the world. According to her, while most airports are suitable for helicopter landing, heliports facilit ate short-distance travel and evacuation exercises. In most places, it is difficult for even microlight aircraft to land. Hence, the importance of setting up heliports.

Ms. Murray, who was in Calcutta today, spoke to Business Line on her ``round-the-world trip in 86 days''. Accompanying her is Mr. Colin Bodill who is attempting to become the first person in the world to circumnavigate the world in a microlight aircraft. Each of them will cover over 40,000 km solo over 33 nations. Besides setting individual world records, the idea is to raise $1 million for Operation Smile, a non-profit organisation that provides reconstructive facial surgery to children and young adult s in 16 developing countries.

Ms. Murray's foray into flying took off six years ago when her businessman husband encouraged her to take lessons in flying. Since then, flying has been a passionate hobby and adventure. ``Some people like to climb mountains, while others like to circumn avigate the world in a yacht. I thought it worthwhile to go around the world in a helicopter''.

According to Capt. Heinz Rust, who is following Ms. Murray in a Cessna, the sheer size of India makes it imperative to have heliports, ``because landing strips are hard to come by in several places''. However, going by the vastness of the country, fixed wing aircraft could be more convenient for long-distance travel.

Capt. Rust observed that helicopters could serve as an effective means of transportation for tourists and businessmen as well as in emergency medical evacuation.

Pic.: Helicopter pilot, Ms. Jennifer Murray, who is currently on round-the-world odyssey, addressing a press conference in Calcutta on Sunday.