Robert DeLaurentis (aviator)

Robert DeLaurentis is an American aviator, businessman and author.^[1][2][3] He was the first solo pilot to fly a Piper Malibu Mirage, a small, single-engine plane,^[4][5] around the world May 17, 2015 to August 14, 2015.^[6] The flight covered 26,000 nautical miles and 23 countries in the ninety-eight days for a fundraising campaign to support aviation programs.^[7][8]

Biography

DeLaurentis was born in Salamanca, New York, moved to the Bay area and Indonesia and finally settled in San Diego, CA. Following an undergraduate degree in Accounting from USC, he earned an advanced graduate degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica.^[9] From 1989 to 2006, DeLaurentis served in the United States Navy as Lieutenant Commander. In 1995, following his Navy career, he founded a real estate development company, Innorev Enterprises, Inc. with projects throughout San Diego, CA.^[10] He has authored the book Flying Thru Life and announced his second book, Zen Pilot, to be released in the early 2016.^[11]

Around the world flight

DeLaurentis decided to attempt to fly solo around the world to raise awareness and funding for programs at Lindbergh-Schweitzer Elementary and A.O.P.A (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) Flight Training Scholarship Program by the name “The Spirit of San Diego”.^[12][13] He was testing new aviation technology to make aviation more affordable and safer.^[14][15] Departing Lindbergh Field, San Diego, CA in the single engine Piper Malibu Mirage named 'Spirit of San Diego' on May 17, 2015,^[16][17] DeLaurentis covered 26,000 nautical miles and 23 countries in the ninety-eight days.^[18][19]

References

1. "Around the world in 90 days, for a cause". The Times of India. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
2. Mirna Alfonso. "Small Plane Big Enough For Flight Around the World". Patch Media. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
3. Dan Namowitz (13 May 2015). "Pilot plans around-the-world flight to promote GA,". AOPA. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
4. "Local Pilot Breaks Record on Round the World Flight,". Chicago Sun-Times. 24 August 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
5. "American pilot making epic solo flight around the world". CBC News. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
6. Ashley Jacobs (25 August 2015). "Local pilot completes round the world trip". CBS 8. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
7. Joshua Stewart (25 August 2015). "Around the World – Barely". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
8. Louis Power (21 May 2015). "Around the world in 90 days". The Telegram. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
9. "About Robert". Retrieved 16 November 2015.
10. "Who's Doing What and Where". The University of Southern California. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
11. "Pilot Robert DeLaurentis giving new meaning to the term 'flying through life'". CBC News. 23 May 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
12. Diane Bell (24 August 2015). "Around the world in 'Spirit of San Diego'". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
13. "Small plane ends around-the-world trip in San Diego". Fox 5 San Diego. 24 August 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
14. Dan Namowitz (13 May 2015). "Pilot plans around-the-world flight to promote GA". AOPA. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
15. "Fliegen für den guten Zweck". Grenchner Tagblatt. 10 June 2015.
16. Diane Bell (21 August 2015). "San Diegans win 'Skin Wars', aviation coup". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
17. "Zen pilot stops in St. John's during round-the-world trip". NTV Canada. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
18. "The Spirit of San Diego". KOGO (AM). 25 August 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
19. Joshua Stewart (24 August 2015). "After 27,000 miles, brush with death, pilot returns". The San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 15 November 2015.

External links

Official website