Traveling the world together with a sports plane: ‘We are not in a hurry’ | WOMAN magazine

Kimberley van Heiningen

“That I would still get my pilot’s license at 56, I had to get used to that myself, haha! It even seemed terrifying to me, but my husband and I had decided to go around the world. In a sports plane, because that was his big dream as a pilot. It took me a little longer to get that license, but it worked. Now I fly in our own sport plane; we sold our house to be able to buy one.

Reis

Our journey started in Buenos Aires, where we lived nearby, and we went through Brazil and the Caribbean islands to Miami. We stayed in the US for a while, because a new engine had to be put in the plane that had to be tested. Not bad: we had plenty of time to fly over the Grand Canyon and all the other beautiful parks.

Via Canada we went to Greenland, then on to Iceland. That was pretty scary, with all that ice and cold water. We had to bring a lifeboat with us and we even wore a special suit that would keep us warm longer in case we fell into the sea. We flew back via Russia – over Siberian emptiness – and Alaska. Exciting and very special, because now, with the war, that is no longer possible.

No rush

Beforehand I thought: as long as that goes well. We’ll be out of luck soon! And nine months with your husband in a small cockpit seemed like a challenge to me. But everything is going very well. There is not much space for luggage, but the traveling life with little is very satisfying. Why always stay in the same place?

This summer we are going to Europe again. Slowly, in 1500 km increments. The plane can’t go any further, but we’re in no hurry. We don’t go with bad weather either, that’s too dangerous and a waste of the view. We don’t fly high, so over mountains and volcanoes. Beautiful! A lot of people think we’re a little crazy, but we don’t care. You have to dare something every now and then.”

This article appears in the new VROUW Magazine (every Saturday at De Telegraaf).

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