Despite being 'inexperienced', Fakhar Alam is certain to undertake a flying journey around the globe to register Pakistan on the world aviation record list. The insurance and aircraft firms have refused to lend their services to him for being inexperienced with less than 100 flying hours, yet he was unshaken and vows to start off his 55 days world tour on February 25 next year. At a joint news conference at Karachi Press Club, Alam, who was flanked by President Tameer Bank, Nadeem Hussain and Captain Serwar, sought support from the cooperate and aviation sectors of the country to finish the 'difficult' task.
The tour will start from Orlando, Florida - US and pass through Canada, North Atlantic, Norway, UK, West Coast of Europe - Italy, North Africa, Middle East but not over war-hit Syria, Dubai, Pakistan's different cities, China, Bangladesh, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Hawaii and back to the starting point across Pacific.
According to him, the world tour will cost $1.4 million, costlier than normal since the insurance and aircraft lease were highly expensive for his shorter flying career, which should as par the world standards to minimum 250 hours. So far, he said, $500,000 have been raised while $900 were still needed that would be collected through selling sponsorship rights.
Pakistan's Tameer Bank has lent its financial support to his world flying trip while the US software firm - Wappco Inc, and Bangladesh's Beximco will also sponsor the event. He said that he was a pilot with a private license and lacked the world-wide aviation recognition for not having a commercial certification. Talks on more sponsorship are under way, he said.
He said he would set a world record by being the private pilot if succeeded to finishing up the tour. "It will be for the first time in aviation history for a private pilot to complete flying trip around the world as so far 200 pilots have finished up the task before but all were commercial pilots," Alam told reporters that he was committed to achieving the task.
He set aside advices on his safety and ordeals that the world flying trip possibly entail, saying that "I was told that it is an impossible act as you don't have experience". However, he reaffirmed his solo flight would sail around the globe. He named his world trip "Mission Parwaaz". "I want to tell the world we Pakistani are the most dedicated nation with giving huge sacrifices for peace and we will continue to render sacrifices," he said, adding that the journey would be full of difficulties at times he would have to fly non-stop for 23 hours.
"This journey is full of difficulties and I am aware of it. My family reminds me of these perils and dissuades me from it," he said. Nadeem Hussain and Captain Serwar also sought support for Alma to attain the world glory in the field of aviation. They said pilots normally undergo mental fatigue with continuing flying and the world tour would surely be a difficult task.