Two Germans, one ‘flying motorcycle” and a worldwide journey

Oct 19, 2014 News

By Michelle Correia
For the first time in Guyana‘s history a trike aircraft touched down at the Ogle International

German couple Andreas Zmuda and Doreen Kroeber

Airport at the break of dawn on October 12 as part of a four year worldwide expedition. Guyana was number 19 on the long list of countries yet to be seen. This ‘tricycle plane’ which spent four days on local soil, is the vessel of German couple Andreas Zmuda and Doreen Kroeber
The couple met in November 2010 during an Amazonian expedition in Peru, Bolivia and Brazil, with Andreas, a former Marketing Manager as tour guide and Doreen, a former Engineer, as a participant. It was love at first sight and the two have been inseparable ever since. Bonded by their love for each other and a fascination of flying an open aircraft, this jet setting duo embarked on a journey around the world.
The idea for this aerial expedition came to the couple in the winter of 2011 while sitting on their red sofa in Berlin. After a few glasses of fine vintage wine the lovebirds bantered about where they could spend their next vacation.
On July 21, 2012 marking his 50th birthday, Andreas and Doreen started their lifetime adventure with what they fondly call their ‘magnificent flying machine’ from Zephyrhills, Florida USA.
A trike is a type of powered hang glider that usually flies at around 3000 feet high. During an exclusive interview, the pilot told Kaieteur News however that with the use of oxygen masks he managed to soar to an amazing 15,000 feet. The pilot said that the aircraft has a 20 gallon fuel tank which can carry

Andreas and Doreen in flight Aerial over South America.

them for up to 4 hours but they usually stay in the air for only one and a half to two and a half hours at a time.
The expedition is an official world record attempt to fly a Trike 100,000 miles over all 5 continents- stopping at 80 countries within 4 years. The couple expects to complete their travels by 2016.
Their inspiration stemmed from Otto Lilienthal’s (May 23 1848 – 10 August 1896) who was a German pioneer of aviation. Known as the Glider King in the aviation community, Lilienthal was the first person to make well-documented successful gliding flights repeatedly.
Today, Otto Lilienthal is the first successful aviator in the history of mankind. His fundamental research on birds and airfoils founded the science of wing aerodynamics and thereby laid the foundation for concepts we still employ today. He was also the inspiration of the Wright Brothers, influencing their research which resulted in the invention of the powered, controllable, and heavier aircraft.
Kaieteur News asked the couple during an exclusive interview what the biggest challenge has been thus far. “We had to make two emergency landings due to poor weather conditions; one happened to be in a drug trafficking city in Mexico… that was the scariest moment to date.” said Andreas.
We also asked the couple what the difference was between a trike and a ‘standard’ aircraft, to which they laughingly said, “Unfortunately there’s no bathroom, and we can’t fly when it rains, other than that it’s very comfortable. You have the sensation of flying like a bird… it’s a liberating sort of freedom you won’t get in a regular aircraft.”
You may ask how an adventure of this magnitude is financed over such an extended period of time. “Well it is not easy” said Andreas, “To tell you upfront this was or still is the biggest challenge we are facing! Doreen saved some money and had an apartment with furniture and all household items which we sold…leaving very little in our bank accounts.”
Upon reflection the couple said that all the people that they have encountered on the journey have been extremely helpful and supportive. With a small budget and a long way to go, they are grateful for the opportunities they have been granted and look forward to their next stop in Tobago.