Even getting up early doesn't means departing early. After a late dinner and very good one at a real italian restaurant, everybody went to sleep to prevent a tired flying day. June 26 was spent fixing my computer problem that resulted from loading a software to allow GSM phone calls. Thank to the help of Rafaelle, I am able to send again files to everybody. I also prepared new routings via Cyprus and Liban, as since calling everyday to Turkey is not enough to have the overflight answers.

What a big problem overflights are. Is it so hard to allow somebody armed with a light aircraft to cross the world ?.

Cristina Piris- I met her at Robledillo the EAA meeting weekend. She is a controller and agreed helping me out to get the overflights. I have to confess she excels everything I expected from her. I have requested her to fight against administrations and I have got the feeling to have found the David who is going to knock out the tens of Civil Administrations Goliaths. She is doing an incredible work and I am sure that if I get to completed the flight, she is the one that allows it.

So, upon our airport arrival, we met Maximo Levi, who is the President of AOPA over there. Since our arrival at Bresso, Milan, He has taken care of us and helped to fix everyting. He suggested me the routing to Brindisi and even to Kerkira (Greece), the one I followed like an ATC clearance and got the best results. As is kindness was not enough, he gave everyone of us, a nice AOPA Tshirt. We were also offerd another one by the best aerobatics pilot in Italy.

Refueling with Santiagoīs system was also efficient. He has even improved it. If somebody looks at his equipment, he will think we are crazy, but sure, I like it. Total fuel in the aircraft: 240 liters. Fuel price was also crazy (around $7 each gallon).

Once eveything was ready, aircrafts refueled, chocolate, water and sandwiches on board, we took off at 1145 local. Miguel and Santiago were returning home, and myself, flying to Greece. After take off climb was sloooowww. Variometer needle moving between 100 and 200 fpm. A near collision between YOD and YOY was our "goodby friends, see you later".

Now, the true fight start, without help at the airports, or that kind word at the needed moment. No more jokes, no more fun against each other. Just a good image of what true friends are.

From Bresso I flew to Trezzo, and later, set a heading almost direct to Kerkira. Garda control cleared me to climb at FL 75 and was patient enough to check I was really climb. Once established at 75, I was speeding at 100 kts GS. Estimates to Kerkira looked promissing. May be I donīt have to land at Brindisi..

Land underneath is flat. A lot of villages, highways, The Po River about to die in the Adriatics sea.

Next came Bologna control that let me fly like IFR even if the flight was VFR. Romagna, Ancona, Vieste and finally Brindisi. 380nm over water, everything calm. That was the moment to dream, to think, to share the sight with Salva (he is living at Alicante), to almost sleep. Also came the hardest moment and the craziness to solve it in so small place and limited movements. This time the price was high. Upon opening the door, the chart I was navigating with, flew away over the Adriatic sea. When I finally closed the door, I realize that part of the seat belt was catched up by the door. Open again the door, and…. this time my wonderful multi-use tool falling to the sea (N43-48.3 , E013-36.2, just if somebody finds it …!)

Later, around 1700 I tried again to contact Sevilla URE, but without results. I have to check again that HF set or manual!

Looking at the sea, some warships were patrolling the zone. War is so close that is incredible.

These boats look like needles. They are sleek, wonderful, and fast. I was remembering those moments flying the P-3 Orions ….with four engines!

The more I use the Jeppesen software, the more I like it. It covers so many things, that it is a must for this kind of flight , where unpredictable is the more used word. Planning and inflight use is powerful. I know that Jeppesen is sponsoring the product, But I have to say that the above has nothing to do with that. I use the sunset calculation tool . Their estimates are true, so I will have a look at it everyday I fly for long time.

Approach at Kerkira is uneventful .Controllers are correct and easy the task. Field overflight at 1000 agl, right downwind and long final over the runway35 to land close to the rwy exit to help also in the airport flow.