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SUCCESS AT LAST!

Written by FHS Team.

World Record Attempt Newsflash Update

We were beginning to wonder if it was even possible.  Would we actually get this done.  But at last, it is complete.  We've set the first transcontinental aviation record in a light sport aircraft.  Just as our attempt in 2013, it was a nailbiter.  We had to reroute due to storms and once again we wondered if we would have to set down short of our goal.

The whole area was virtually clear of storms...except the one city we were required to land in.  Over Charleston, SC a storm was building.  The airport staff provided updates and were fairly certain it was impossible.  But we found our hole.  The storm moved just enough that we were able to slip into the airport to complete our mission. 

World record attempts, are like shooting pool.  You have to call your pockets and if you have no other options.  We had to wait for the weather to be clear from coast to coast from the one airport we had applied for 3 months earlier.  Then we were left at the mercy of the other end of the US to land in the airport we had sanctioned.  Those are tough conditions when the one city you MUST land in is the only one with a storm.  Not just any storm either, apparently some very unsual, gullywasher type that had sat over the city the entire day.

We are so thankful to be done. 

Update: Oddly, ther was no other window where the weather was good from coast to coast the rest of the summer.

 

hulahulaMichael did it!

On September 19-30th, 2012 Michael Combs and Hope One completed the journey to Hawaii, the 50th state, accomplishing the original mission.

We at the Flight for the Human Spirit are feeling a little numb.  Our goal is complete but Michael is still pushing to set more records.  The 50th state was incredibly challenging to attain but everything finally came together - all 50 states in a light sport aircraft fully compliant with Light Sport and Sport Pilot rules.  No modifications, no smoke and mirrors - just one determined man with a mission.

The final push to Hawaii was a matter of getting from Dallas, Texas to Sacramento, California, then from there, we loaded the plane up for transport to Hawaii.  Once in Hawaii, Hope One soared though the skies setting another world record - with the distinct honor of doing that as featured plane at the Kanoehe Bay Airshow.

We'll fill you in as we go but here's the latest press release to catch you up:

Combs to Complete 50 State Adventure in a Light Sport Aircraft

Hope One and Mike

September 17, 2012

Lake Dallas, TX -  Michael Combs set out several years ago to fly an aircraft into all fifty states.  At that time, he didn't have a pilot's license and began The Flight for the Human Spirit with nothing but a dream.  Since then he has flown his REMOS Light Sport Aircraft named "Hope One" into 49 states, has logged over 40,000 miles, and landed in over 200 airports.  His message of "It's never, EVER too late to follow your dreams has now reached over 28 million people around the world.

The elusive fiftieth state of Hawaii was a greater feat than Combs originally thought.  Since his mission was to fly an unmodified aircraft throughout his adventurous flight, he didn't have near enough fuel onboard to fly over the Pacific from the California coast.  The only option was to ship Hope One over and to fly into at least one airport on one of the islands.  "The goal of The Flight is to show what you can do when you believe strongly enough in your dreams and are not willing to give up," explained Combs.  "I was told many times before this journey began that I would discover why a flight like this has never been accomplished before, and have learned quite a bit along the way."

Combs will be performing at the Kaneohe Bay Air Show in Hawaii on the 29th and 30th of this month.  Hope One will be airlifted over to Hawaii along with other performing aircraft.  The current date of departure will be September 25th from Travis Air Force Base.

"We have a lot of fans around the world, and the comments of support have been amazing as word has spread of the upcoming success of this mission," explained Combs from his Corinth, TX office.  "There has been a tremendous amount of coordination from many parties to make this flight possible, the reward will be that we are all witnessing aviation history unfold."

Hope One will become the first Light Sport Aircraft to touch down in all fifty states, and Combs will become the first Sport Pilot to successfully fly the same aircraft into all fifty states.  He currently holds four world records from time over distance and miles logged.

Fans of The Flight will be able to follow Michael's westerly adventure including live Facebook and Twitter posts, along with satellite tracking from the cockpit of Hope One.  The take-off from US Aviation in Denton, TX to Sacramento, CA is scheduled to begin Tuesday morning September 18th and should take two to three days to complete.


 

Now that our mission is complete we move on to focus on even more world records - coast to coast, point to point and a few secret missions.  The most immediate focus is on a 2 day coast to coast record.  More information to come shortly.

The Inspiration Behind the Project

The Original Mission: To fan the flames of  20 million people's dreams and to encourage them to do the same with others.

What keeps us from our dreams? Why do some succeed while other earnest and well meaning people fail? We've all heard of famous singers who struggle to hold a note, yet there they are soaking in the glory of a successful career while other more talented people give up and change course in their life.

We've all known people who are clearly unhappy in their careers yet they never pursue their dream of owning their own business. There are still others with dreams of having someone to love, while there are so many waiting to be noticed.

Here's Michael's Story:

Up close with logoMichael Combs an average guy (kind of). He's ambitious and creative, but his dream to fly was hampered by a physical limitation: an irregular heartbeat that nearly took his life.

Doctors didn't offer much hope that he would ever fully recover, but after surviving a harrowing near death experience in which he was declared clinically dead twice in three days, Michael was determined to beat the odds -- and he has!

He's a medical miracle and is better health today than he's been in years!

As inredible as his story is, it is that same history that had disqualified him from his greatest life dream -- to become a pilot. But, as a determined individual, he triumphantly found a way through the obstacle.

What he recently discovered is that in 2004 the Sport Pilot Association helped create a new class of license designed for recreational pilots. And, the best part, his medial history (which is long since resolved) is no longer an obstacle. Sure there are some limitations with the license, such as not being able to fly commercially or to fly at night, but his dream was to fly, not to be a commercial pilot.

It was a great day when he first made his discovery of the sport pilot's license and as his enthusiasm has been contagious. Now to share his jubilation (and perhaps defiance), he'll be sharing triumphant journey with the nation to inspire others to never, ever give up on their dreams.

After visiting the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association he learned that there is more support than he ever imagined. Not only did they personally take the time to explain the nuances, they offered to help every step of the way from preparation to mechanical repairs and more. The outpouring of support was incredible.

When he began explaining his story and ambition to fly to every state in the U.S. everyone he told was instantly inspired to re-visit their own ambitions and dreams. In fact, most who have learned about the mission are quick to provide their own stories and those of people they know who have triumphed in the face of adversity.CAR speaking gig

Perhaps it's the strained economy that attracts people to something positive, something proactive, but whatever it is, people are finding the courage to think and dream bigger.

With that said, Michael has spend the last few years sharing his entire experience of learning to fly from planning the route and gathering the proper equipment, to encounters he has along the way. In this way people of all backgrounds and interests can share in this entire journey, and hopefully find the inspiration to break out of their box and pursue their dreams and ambitions too.

The Project Highlights:Hope One in Flight

  • Michael set out to fly to every state in the U.S. in a sport light plane traveling over 19,400 miles, stopping 136 times, and accomplishing this expedition in just 40 flight days, all while observing the restrictions of this limited pilot's license.  (Update:  It became MUCH more as he experienced delays and surprises of all kinds.)img 0341
  • He planned to educate people about the process of getting a sport pilot's license and share his experiences via video and his blog.  (Update:  He is still doing that - look for him on YouTube and as a speaker at conventions.)
  • Corporate, church, group and school speaking engagements will be scheduled along the way and throughout the months leading up to the trip.  (Update: This proved more challenging than originally thought as most people thought he would never start the project, much less accomplish it...now the opportunities to speak are flowing.)
  • School programs and cirriculum will track the flight and encourage children to dream bigger (don't think the children don't feel the pinch of the economy right now -- they need to feel empowered more than ever and we aim to provide that.)  (Update: did come to fruition, but Michael would like to do more once the flight is complete.)
  • The plane will be wired capture audio, video and photos to be regularly.  (Update: Yes, we now have more than 10,000 photos from the plane and th stops, and over 260 hours of HD video.)
  • Michael's passengers will post live updaes and photos as connectivity is available  (Update:  Oh boy, did we...and still are today.)
  • Fans can follow the flight on the LIVE tracker, which updates every two minutes. (Update: Still active today...it's one of the most popular features.)

Listen, regardless of what holds you back, declare victory right now and get out there and pursue your dream! Further, if you feel compelled, share your dream with someone else and let them help you fan that flame.  In so doing you you also help them with theirs. People want to help, but they need to know what you need so they know how to help.

If you have a dream live it and breathe it, and with patience and an open mind, watch what happens.

We'd like to invite you to begin your journey here. Take a moment now to join our community on Facebook or on our community site. You never know what's possible until you start putting things in motion.

Remember: it's never, EVER too late to follow your dreams!