A message from Margot:
I have always dreamed of both exploring and flying and was inspired by aviation pioneers like the Wright Brothers, barnstormer, Bessie Coleman and Earth Rounder Jerrie Mock. These dreams have set me on my path to attempt to fly solo around the Earth in a small single engine airplane. During the trip I plan to "Spin the World," which refers to the concept of putting a new spin on perceptions; To try and learn, understand and recognize all the differences our world offers. To promote this, I will perform 195 Aerobatic spins along the way for each of the 195 unique countries in the world.
The trip will start at Lihue Airport in March 2012 and last 7 months. If completed on schedule, I will be the youngest female to fly solo around the world in a single engine airplane. In addition to "Spinning the World", I hope such a trip encourages aviation and inspires people to go for the goals, like others have inspired me. If you are interested in becoming a strategic partner and sponsoring Trek by Wing, please see sponsors for more information.
The Pilot
Bio
Margot started flying at 19 when she joined the Penn State Soaring club. She recieved her glider liscense a year and a half later. During the summer before hand, she teamed up with two others to design, build and test fly a 30' wing span ultralight glider, named Aeronautilus which served as a new concept for wing in ground effect vehicles. The goal was to turn this concept in to a recreation watercraft. Though the project did not work out it was a blast to create and test fly!
In 2005, Margot graduated Penn State with a B.S in Astrophysics and shortly after moved to Kauai, Hawaii. Here she joined think-tank company Oceanit, where she currently works as a Scientist. In addition to being a scientist Margot is co-founder of a photography and 3d graphics company, Magnisia Images LCC (more info comming soon). Shortly after starting work, and as soon as she could afford it, Margot took up lessons in
Aerobatics in a Citabria (see pic on right). Maneuvers learned include loops, barrel rolls, Cuban 8s, cloverleafs a 44 turn spin and more! Due to insurance issues this plane could not be used to obtain her single engine pilot's liscence. In fact, no airplane on the island would allow this!
At 25, Margot purchased her own Cessna 170A (see pic below) to be used for obtaining, ratings (private and IFR) as well as adventuring througout the islands! Outside of flying Margot enjoys extreme hiking and exploring, traveling (near and far), marathons and triathlons. Margot has traveled to 40 of the United states, England, Spain, Italy, Gibraltar, Morocco, Ireland, Japan, Belgium, The Netherlands, The Czech Republic and Austria and is planning an upcomming trip to Tibet.
Airplane
The current airplane is not suitable for a round the world flight (Cessna 170a). Though this is a wonderful airplane, it can not carry the auxillery fuel tanks nessisary for some of the larger ocean crossings. Trek By Wing will be seeking a different aircraft in the upcomming year.
