Robert DeLaurentis (aviator)

Robert DeLaurentis (born January 11, 1966) 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 from 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] On August 10, 2020, DeLaurentis completed a nine-month, 26,000 nautical mile polar circumnavigation and global peace mission, "One Planet, One People, One Plane: Oneness for Humanity" in his modified 1983 aircraft named "Citizen of the World".[9][10]

Robert DeLaurentis
Robert DeLaurentis about to depart for the South Pole from Ushuaia.
Born (1966-01-11) January 11, 1966
Salamanca, New York
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of Southern California
Occupation(s)Pilot
Author
Known forCircumnavigation
Notable workTwo-time solo circumnavigator
Parent(s)Robert DeLaurentis
Frances DeLaurentis (deceased)
Call signN29GA (FAA)
Websiteflyingthrulife.com

Early life and education

DeLaurentis was born in Salamanca, New York, moved to the Bay area and Indonesia and finally settled in San Diego, California. Following an undergraduate degree in Accounting from USC, he earned an advanced graduate degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica.[11] From 1989 to 2006, DeLaurentis served in the United States Navy, earning rank of Lieutenant Commander. In 1995, following his Navy career, he founded a real estate development company, Innorev Enterprises, Inc. with projects throughout San Diego, California.[12]

Career

2015 circumnavigation

DeLaurentis decided to attempt to fly solo around the world to raise awareness and funding for programs at Lindbergh-Schweitzer Elementary and AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) Flight Training Scholarship Program by the name "The Spirit of San Diego".[13][14] He was testing new aviation technology to make aviation more affordable and safer.[15][16] Departing Lindbergh Field, San Diego, California, in the single engine Piper Malibu Mirage named 'Spirit of San Diego' on May 17, 2015,[17][18] DeLaurentis covered 26,000 nautical miles and 23 countries in the ninety-eight days.[19][20]

2019–2020 Pole-to-pole circumnavigation

On his second circumnavigation, DeLaurentis used a modified 1983 Turbine Commander 900 twin-engine plane he named "Citizen of the World". Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the planned five-month Pole-to-Pole peace mission turned into a nine-month mission.[21]

Showcasing and promoting 95 sponsors from around the world, "Citizen of the World’s" polar circumnavigation including many national partners and local San Diego aviation and communication technology businesses that serviced and supported the aircraft and pilot in flying the longest distance in a twin-engine or single-engine turboprop—18.1 hours in flight—and becoming the first and fastest polar circumnavigation in the world in a twin-engine or single-engine turboprop.[22]

Following two initial departure delays due to issues with new technology installations in the aircraft, DeLaurentis departed from San Diego County’s Gillespie Field on November 17, 2019 with the intention of crossing the South Pole and then the North Pole before returning home. DeLaurentis stopped in 22 different countries along the way, interviewing NGO leaders and local residents for an upcoming documentary, "Peace Pilot: To the Ends of the Earth and Beyond".[23][24]

Bibliography

DeLaurentis has authored the books "Flying Thru Life: How to Grow Your Business and Relationships with Applied Spirituality", "Zen Pilot: Flight of Passion and the Journey Within", and the children’s book "The Little Plane That Could".[25] His next book, "Peace Pilot: To the Ends of the Earth and Beyond", will be released in 2021.[23]

See also

References
  1. "Around the world in 90 days, for a cause". The Times of India. July 6, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  2. Mirna Alfonso. "Small Plane Big Enough For Flight Around the World". Patch Media. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  3. Dan Namowitz (May 13, 2015). "Pilot plans around-the-world flight to promote GA". AOPA. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  4. "Local Pilot Breaks Record on Round the World Flight". Chicago Sun-Times. August 24, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  5. "American pilot making epic solo flight around the world". CBC News. July 16, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  6. Ashley Jacobs (August 25, 2015). "Local pilot completes round the world trip". CBS 8. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  7. Joshua Stewart (August 25, 2015). "Around the World – Barely". U-T San Diego. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  8. Louis Power (May 21, 2015). "Around the world in 90 days". The Telegram. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  9. "Peace Pilot completes Pole-to-Pole circumnavigation during pandemic". cbs8.com. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  10. "San Diego Pilot Completes 'Pole to Pole' Circumnavigation". Times of San Diego. August 12, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  11. "About Robert". Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  12. "Who's Doing What and Where". The University of Southern California. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  13. Diane Bell (August 24, 2015). "Around the world in 'Spirit of San Diego'". U-T San Diego. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  14. "Small plane ends around-the-world trip in San Diego". Fox 5 San Diego. August 24, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  15. Dan Namowitz (May 13, 2015). "Pilot plans around-the-world flight to promote GA". AOPA. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  16. "Fliegen für den guten Zweck". Grenchner Tagblatt. June 10, 2015.
  17. Diane Bell (August 21, 2015). "San Diegans win 'Skin Wars', aviation coup". U-T San Diego. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  18. "Zen pilot stops in St. John's during round-the-world trip". NTV Canada. May 22, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  19. "The Spirit of San Diego". KOGO. August 25, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  20. Joshua Stewart (August 24, 2015). "After 27,000 miles, brush with death, pilot returns". U-T San Diego. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  21. "Column: Pandemic does not derail San Diego pilot's daring pole-to-pole flight". San Diego Union-Tribune. July 16, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  22. Rasool, Lana. "Circumnavigating the Earth with Robert DeLaurentis". www.osmaviationacademy.com. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  23. "Quarantined "Peace Pilot" Robert DeLaurentis Is Still On A Mission". Luxurious Magazine. April 22, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  24. Clash, Jim. Nine Lives? The Case Of Pilot Rob DeLaurentis.
  25. "Pilot Robert DeLaurentis giving new meaning to the term 'flying through life'". CBC News. May 23, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
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