The Porters arenB次元官网网址檛 the kinds of travellers to buy a Lonely Planet guide book B次元官网网址� but they joke if they did, they would head straight to the list of what not to do and turn it into a check list.
Instead, the family of five is pursuing a once-in-a-lifetime expedition with a to-do list of their own devising: buy one single-engine plane, fly around the world for 14 months, and raise $1 million for a global charity.
B次元官网网址淔undamentally, I think itB次元官网网址檚 about education B次元官网网址� a broader education of experiences and life and values,B次元官网网址� 59-year-old Ian Porter said from his home in Vancouver.
He got his pilotB次元官网网址檚 licence at 19 and has always dreamed of making such a trip B次元官网网址� fuelled by his life-long passion for aviation, whether itB次元官网网址檚 flying planes, paragliders or sailplanes.
So, although the seriousness of a trip around planet Earth was blurry at first discussion, mom Michelle Porter, 57, and the coupleB次元官网网址檚 three kids werenB次元官网网址檛 entirely surprised when Ian proposed the plan around a year ago.
The idea was crazy, but somehow the timing was right. Samantha Porter, 21, could take a year off between her third and fourth years of studying geography, environment and sustainability at the University of British Columbia. Sydney, 18, could take a gap year after completing Grade 12. And Christopher, 14, could do all his Grade 10 classes online along the way.
The next step was securing the perfect plane. It needed to be able to carry five people plus fuel and equipment and be capable of landing on remote and gravel airstrips. It also needed to be relatively easy to fly with Samantha and Sydney both set to co-pilot the trip, albeit with not as extensive experience behind the wheel as their father.
The family soon landed on the GA8 AirVan, an Australian-manufactured utility plane made for tasks like parachuting, humanitarian aid and search and rescue operations.
By some stroke of luck B次元官网网址� or B次元官网网址渢he universe,B次元官网网址� as Samantha calls it B次元官网网址� one of only a few known to be in Canada went up for sale in Delta.
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In just a few short weeks, on June 14, the Porters are set to take flight.
Ian says upon completion, theyB次元官网网址檒l join an exclusive group of about 500 to 600 people to ever have flown a single-engine aircraft around the world. ThatB次元官网网址檚 about a tenth of the number of people who have summitted Mount Everest.
The Porters, who have always preferred to take the path less travelled, say they plan to take their time, and unlike most others actually spend a few days in each place they land, connecting with different people and cultures.
B次元官网网址淲hat IB次元官网网址檝e realized is traveling to areas outside of resorts and getting to see the actual country and culture, and meet and interact with the people, changes your perspective on everything,B次元官网网址� Sydney said.
They believe it will be an education not only for them, but also for anyone who chooses to follow their journey blog and social media.
TheyB次元官网网址檙e well aware being cramped in an aircraft with your immediate family and 20 pounds of luggage each for over a year isnB次元官网网址檛 everyoneB次元官网网址檚 idea of a dream vacation. But, they hope they can peak other peopleB次元官网网址檚 curiosity in lesser known places and encourage them to explore and interact even within their own communities. They also hope having two woman pilots on board will encourage others to get their licenses too.
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Perhaps most importantly, the Porters aim to raise $1 million for SOS ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Villages along the way.
B次元官网网址淲e wanted it to count for something,B次元官网网址� Ian said, adding that the global charity organization takes a holistic approach to caring for children without parental care, providing them with long-term education, mental health support, housing and community.
The family also hopes to spread awareness about the charity itself, which isnB次元官网网址檛 well known in North America.
TheyB次元官网网址檒l be in the air until Aug. 12, 2023, and documenting every day until then on social media and at .
jane.skrypnek@bpdigital.ca
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