Norman Surplus, an autogyro pilot from Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, taxis down Kadena's runway July 20 in his MT-03 autogyro. Surplus is making the first world record attempt to circumnavigate the globe in his autogyro named Roxy. His trip will take him across 26 countries, flying over 27,000 miles, or 43,000 kilometers, and crossing deserts, mountains and oceans. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Tara A. Williamson)

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Col. Corey Martin, 18th Wing vice commander, gives his daughter, Amelia, a better view of the inside of the MT-03 autogyro piloted by Norman Surplus from Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, that landed at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 20. After clearing Japanese customs, Surplus bought gas, ate a few meals and spent a night in Okinawa before heading off for his next destination in mainland Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Tara A. Williamson)

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Col. Corey Martin, 18th Wing vice commander, applauds Norman Surplus, an autogyro pilot from Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, as he steps out of his MT-03 autogyro after landing at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 20. Surplus is making the first autogyro world record attempt to circumnavigate the globe. "The 8.5-hour flight from the Philippines to Kadena was the longest and most demanding flight of the expedition because it was over water," said Martin. "I only saw two ships during my flight." (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Tara A. Williamson)

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Autogyro pilot lands at Kadena during global trek

Published July 21, 2011