Cancer survivor to cross world in gyrocopter
Irishman Norman Surplus inspired to make trip after watching television documentary on aircraft in hospital.
Norman Surplus, an Irishman who beat cancer in 2003, is attempting to travel around the world in his gyrocopter to give others hope they can beat the disease.
He was inspired to fly after watching a television documentary on the gyrocopter, a type of rotorcraft, from his hospital bed.
So far, Surplus has been stalled in the Phillipines while awaiting permission from the remaining countries to fly onward, but if he completes the journey, he will be the first to do so.
Gyrocopters use a third of the fuel of a normal helicopter, but can reach speeds of 160km per hour and ascend to 12,000 feet.
Al Jazeera’s Marga Ortigas reports from Pampanga, the Phillipines.