A World Flight Over Russia

Flight Journal, Dec 1999 by DeGroat, Robert S

A World Flight Over Russia

by Brad Butler. Wind Canyon Publishing Inc., P.O. Box 1445, Niceville. FL 32588-1445: 216 pages; 115 b&w photographs; 20 color photographs; $26.95.

As this review is being written, two adventurers have just become the first to circumnavigate the world nonstop in a balloon. Almost seven years ago, a group of private pilots flew around the world in their small, general-- aviation aircraft, to less acclaim, but with equal spirit. It is the subject of these aviators' stopovers that makes "A World Flight Over Russia" so entertaining.

Written by Brad Butler, the group's historian and photographer, the book is a factual account of the 20 days 12 small planes spent flying over Russia during their 'roundthe-world flight. This was supposed to be the inaugural flight and was to be repeated every summer with a different group flying a different route across the vastness of Russia. Unfortunately, as the political landscape changed, so did the opportunity to make this an annual aviation happening.

When it became clear that the journey would not be repeated, Butler recognized a need to permanently document it. The adventure was written up over a period of two years, with the aid of videotape shot during the trip and several participants' journals. Butler even includes historical and/or geographical information about each region, particularly where it enhances the overall picture. The addition of some truly spectacular color photographs makes this effort a first-class travel log.

The participants' overall impressions are particularly interesting. Though many pilots complain about being stringently controlled in American airspace, these fliers found tight control comforting on their return from Russia, where they had wild experiences and little air control.

Though the subject pilots are credited with several aviation "firsts," the book is about people. Despite their years of deprivation and political problems, the Russian people were consistently warmhearted and generous, and we're given fascinating insights into the lives of a people whose history has been so different from ours in the West. "A World Flight Over Russia" is a unique tale about a group of determined pilots on the trip of a lifetime. It's engrossing reading.