On Air Mannin Line Andy Wint | Noon - 1:00pm

Island Inventor and aviator shows true grit

 

Island businessman and inventor Dr John Taylor has embarked on what's set to be the greatest challenge of his eventful life.

Dr Taylor who lives in Santon has begun an epic solo flight from the mid-west of America to the Isle of Man.

The 77-year old who has held a private pilot's licence for 60 years, is flying his brand new Husky plane from its factory in the US across north America, Greenland and the Atlantic, almost four and a half thousand miles.

John Taylor's best known for his invention of thermostats in domestic appliances and his passion for early English clocks - but says aviation is his first love.

Dr Taylor will stop in North Dakota, Canada, Iceland and the Faroe Islands on his trip in the light plane, which is just 35 feet long.

He says he's broken the journey into manageable steps so he can stretch stiff legs and enjoy a cup of tea.

Dr Taylor is due back here in his Manx-registered aircraft M-HSKY in early July. 

 

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