Image Source: kirklandphotos.com
They are a group of people who share one common experience, which is flying around the world in light weight aircrafts.
Claude Meunier, the president and founder of Earthrounders, travelled into Papua New Guinea with another member, Bob Gannon, on Saturday 22 October.
They were en route to Mt Hagen where the biannual reunion will be held when I caught up with them in Port Moresby. Who knew I could learn so many interesting things about flying around the world.
People have flown around the world in helicopters, hot air balloons as well as light weight aircrafts.
“Out of the 7 billion people on this planet, only 400 have flown around the world,” said Meunier.
They had their first meeting in 2000 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin USA. After that, they’ve had seven other meetings, and this year is the ninth.
Earthrounders is made up of close to 400 men and women.
This year, Bob Bates, a pioneer aviator in Papua New Guinea and known businessman who is a member of the Earthrounders, will be hosting their 9th biannual reunion in Mt Hagen, Papua New Guinea.
Bates owns Trans Niugini Tours, and contributes a lot to the tourism industry of the country. Bates will be hosting the reunion this year.
Thirty-six members of the Earthrounders community will be attending the week long reunion from all over the world.
“This year we have chosen to come to your beautiful and culturally diverse country,” Gannon announced.
From the beginning of aviation till now there has only been about 400 people who flew around the world in their private single, or twin engine planes. Out of those 400 hundred are some very brave women also.
“Reunions like this one bring the Earthrounders together to share their experiences,” said Meunier.
