A young Angus man embarks on a once in a lifetime adventure to take part in a worldwide charity voyage.
Scottish Aero Club chairman Dave McElroy has almost finished his Phileas Fogg-like challenge to circumnavigate the globe in aid of the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) and a Canadian foundation.
He will be joined by Michael Rose, from Forfar, for the last leg of his journey in a single-engine Piper Comanche, following a last-minute plea when his co-pilot dropped out.
Mr Rose, 19, is a mechanical engineering student at Dundee University who hopes to become a pilot.
While he is a month away from earning his own wings, he is “thrilled” to join a journey that will end in Perth after stops around the world.
Pilots and non-pilots alike have been given the chance to fly as either co-pilot or passenger in the plane with Mr McElroy, who recently retired as vice-president of Stirlingshire wood panel manufacturer Norbord Europe Ltd.
Last week Mr McElroy emailed Scottish Aero Club members about his predicament, having almost finished his £330,000 fundraiser.
Mr Rose, a member of his local Air Training Cadet squadron, responded quickly.
He said: “I’ve wanted to be a pilot for as long as I can remember. As a child I went on a flight to Florida and saw the plane, went flying and thought it was fantastic.”
Mr Rose flies out to Canada on Thursday, and the pair will leave from Goose Bay in north-east Canada on Sunday.
The Piper will leave for Greenland, pass over Iceland and alight in Perth next week.
Mr Rose’s mother, Lynn, said: “Michael’s jumped at the chance because he’s wanted to be a pilot since he was eight.
“He has dreams of joining the RAF after he graduates.”
Although Mr Rose is funding his travel to Canada himself, he is raising funds for the SCAA and has set a £750 target.
Visit www.justgiving.com/MichaelAtlanticCrossing to donate.