The much talked about First African Solo flight across the world project that was heralded in late 2015is to commence on Thursday, June 23 2016 in Washington DC in the United States of America.
An online statement by signed by the potential First African Solo Flight Pilot, Capt Lola Odujinrin stated that flight will now start in US instead of Nigeria as earlier planned.
The team, he stated have been working very hard to make this historic event a success, adding that its primary objective has been to have the First African Pilot fly Solo across the World and that the team is determined to make this a reality.
He said that a round the world flight involves overcoming many challenges and that team Transcend is no exception when it comes to facing pioneering trials.
Odujinrin stated that taking off from Nigeria imposes an even more logistical challenge, which amplifies the entire project cost, adding that team Transcend encountered a lot of challenges such as the lacklustre response to our Sponsorship request.
“Needless to say, we have experienced a myriad of challenges and issues which has led to a delay affecting our original plan. Primary to the delay is the lacklustre response to our Sponsorship request. We are cognizant of the fact that it is a financially difficult time for many institutions at this point.” He said
Odujinrin added that as a result, the team had to review the original plan taking into consideration the economic factors and coming up with the most achievable, cost effective position enabling us fulfil the primary objective, which is to be the first African to Fly Solo round the World.
According to him, “The project will now kick off from Washington DC in the United States of America. The aircraft is currently in the USA and starting there greatly reduces our cost thereby helping us to achieve our ultimate goal.”
He commended the two main Sponsors Tolaram Group and Translynx Nigeria Limited and the donors such as Cross River Sate, Arik Air, Lazza, Bruce Canopies (US) and Spidertracks (US)for their immense support in creating the impetus to the cause.
Odujinrin, who also commended those who have contributed one way or the other to the solo flight project added that the flight will kick off on Thursday June 23, 2016 and that it could be tracked live on our website www.transcend.ng.
The solo flight, he further disclosed could be followed on Twitter @TranscendNG, Instagram #transcend.ng and Facebook Transcend.ng.
