Two Britons are attempting to make the first round-the-world flight in a microlight aircraft.

The aircraft's pilot holds the record for longest microlight flight

The open-cockpit plane, powered by a single engine, will follow the route of Philleas Fogg, the hero of Jules Verne's novel.

After take-off, the pair aim to travel over 25 countries and go around the world in 80 days.

Brian Milton, 55, and co-pilot Keith Reynolds, 45, plan to leave London in March at the start of their 25,000-mile journey.

Brian Milton explains how microlight technology has advanced (0' 25")

Mr Milton, a journalist from east London, already holds the record for the longest and fastest microlight flight. He flew from London to Sydney in 59 days.

Mr Reynolds, a microlight instructor and a test pilot, will take the controls on alternate days.

They hope to cover 300 miles a day in their 1200cc, 80-horsepower plane, which is 9ft 2in long and has a wingspan of 33ft 8in.

Pilot Brian Milton

Their inspiration is Verne's 125-year-old novel, which tells the story of Philleas Fogg and his servant Passepartout who circumnavigated the globe in 80 days.

Not only do the Britons hope to equal their time, they plan to follow the same route.

This goes east, over the Middle East, India, China and Japan, before returning across the northern Americas and finally cutting south to the United Kingdom.
 

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