ISLAMABAD, March 24: An ultra-light plane, christened Spirit of Pakistan, would endeavour to go around the world in 80 days on a fund-raising “Flight For Life”.

The journey is being undertaken by aviators Brig (Rtd) Zakaullah Bhangoo and Ajab Khan, who would donate the proceeds of the project to internationally-recognised welfare institutions of Pakistan including the SOS villages, Ida Rieu and Fatimid Foundation.

The aircraft will start its journey in Islamabad in the fourth week of May and fly over China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Alaska, Canada, the US, North Atlantic, the UK, France, Spain, North Africa and the Middle East. After circumnavigating the globe in 80 days, the aircraft expects to end its journey in Islamabad during the second week of August. The project organizers claim that an ultra-light aircraft’s circumnavigation of the globe in 80 days would be a world record.

Originally scheduled for 2001, the project was postponed because of delayed clearance from Russia and China. The Spirit of Pakistan would be exploring a new route through the Karakoram Mountains, crossing over the Khunjerab Pass at 16,500 feet into China along the Silk Route.

During its 23,000-mile journey, the plane would make landings in 28 world capitals and cities. It plans stopovers in Kashghar, Beijing, Siberia, Alaska, Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Washington, New York, Montreal, Greenland, Reykjavik, Faeroes Island, Glasgow, London, Paris, Madrid, Rabat, Tunis, Tripoli, Cairo, Jeddah, Madina and the UAE.

Before undertaking its around-the-world flight, the Spirit of Pakistan would also attempt to break the world record for an ultralight aircraft’s non-stop long-distance flight. Weather permitting, the aircraft, having a range of 960km, would attempt to undertake a non-stop, 10-hour, 1300km journey from Gawadar to Islamabad by the end of March. The aircraft would also tour all the major cities of the country.

Giving details, the project’s media coordinator Col (Rtd) Yahya Jamilul Haq, said the aircraft, which weighed less than 450kg with both the pilots aboard, had been purchased by Zakaullah Bhangoo who had sold some of his personal assets for the purpose.

The aircraft was imported from the US in a dismantled condition. Ajab Khan, among the pioneers of ultralight aviation in Pakistan, assembled it with the help of army technicians.

The aircraft made its maiden flight in June 2001 and has flown for over 250 hours in different terrains and weather conditions in Pakistan including the Northern Areas.

With more than 7,000 flying hours to their credit, the two pilots are thrilled by the idea of dedicating the project to welfare of children.

Mr Bhangoo served as an army aviator and commander of VVIP flights for eight years. His daring helicopter-rescue operation during the 1992 Neelum Valley floods was featured in the Reader’s Digest July 1994 issue.

The two aviators were of the opinion that the concept would motivate the imagination of thousands of children in the country to reach for the skies.