Flying High

James is seeking to become the youngest pilot to complete a solo around-the-world flight,which will involve flying 22,000 nautical miles (41,000 km),covering 19 countries in four continents,in fifty days.

James says he started working to give wings to his dream early on.

“I once saw a dyslexic child and saw his dreamy helpless eyes. I knew it then that I cannot be like that and needed to find a way out for myself. I went to a regular school for three years. Then I went to Dyslexic Association of Malaysia for a year and then to an international school.”

“It was difficult trying to read,write or focus but I had learnt that if you have a special gift it was not to be used as an excuse for not to succeed,” he adds.

It was not easy for James to get a flying licence. “I had to work five times harder. I flew for the first time when I was 18. I took dyslexia as a gift rather than an impediment.”

His flying mission began on March 26 — from Langkawi in Malaysia. From there he went to Bangkok,Vietnam,Taipei,Japan,Russia,Alaska,Canada,US,back to Canada,Greenland,Iceland,UK,France,Italy,Egypt,Jordan,Qatar,Pakistan,Nagpur before he touched down to Kolkata,where he would halt for two days before he flew off to Myanmar,Thailand,Phuket and finally back to Malaysia on May 14.

His longest nonstop flight was from Italy to Eqypt — flying for seven and a half hours.

“God willing,after I complete this on May 14,I will go to another country for a land-based expedition,” said the young pilot,in a blue jumpsuit and a haircut that resembled Tom Cruise in Top Gun.

Talking about difficulties in his current mission,he said the aircraft is about 30 years old and the engine is nine years old. “The engine sometimes acted up and once there was an issue with the hydraulics. I had to fix those up. Besides,I have also encountered extreme weather conditions. In Northeast Russia,the temperature was 20 degrees below freezing point. Everything was ice. Even the ocean was frozen. I saw frozen waves. I had to pick at the ice before I could get the plane started. I was in the middle of a dust storm while in Qatar,” he said.

He attributed a huge part of his success to the love and cooperation of his parents and three elder sisters. “My parents’ support me completely because they know how badly I want to do this.”