VI
EN
The Porter family spent $500,000 to buy a small plane, which they named Moose. They then used Moose to travel the world, a trip that lasted 14 months. They visited 12 countries and are currently exploring Argentina.
Next, the Porters will fly to Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Central American countries. Leaving Central America, they will continue eastward, visiting Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan, India, East Asia, and then return to Canada.
The "5 in the Sky" crew plans to fly around the world in a fully equipped 2013 Gipps Aero GA8 Airvan (C-GIPU).
Like everyone else, the Porter family had endured two years of travel restrictions. They were eager to spend another 14 months together on their family plane.
The “5 in the Sky” crew plans to fly around the world in a fully equipped 2013 Gipps Aero GA8 Airvan (C-GIPU). The single-engine GA8 Airvan, specially designed for use in “remote areas and from harsh runways,” was chosen for its “robustness and ease of use.”
The aircraft boasts turbocharged Lycoming IO 540 engines, can carry one pilot and up to seven passengers, and can fly at speeds of 220 km/h (120 nautical miles) for five hours, reaching altitudes of up to 20,000 feet.
The Porter family's private plane.
Each family member had a specific role for the trip. The main pilot was the father, Ian Porter, who is also a pilot with 40 years of experience. His two daughters, Samantha (21) and Sydney (18), assisted him during the flight. The mother, Michelle, planned the flight and handled navigation. Their youngest son, Christopher, only 15 and not yet capable of flying, was tasked with controlling the drone to capture memorable family moments and post them on their Instagram account, which has over 17,000 followers. Their trip was also featured on TikTok, which has over 50,000 followers.
Samantha and Sydney began their training flights on the same day in 2020, and they also flew solo and obtained their pilot's licenses on the same day. Both girls hope to inspire other young women to become pilots.
Samantha (right) and Sydney (left) began their training flights on the same day in 2020; they also flew solo and obtained their pilot's licenses on the same day.
“In August and September, we’ll be flying within Brazil and northern Argentina before heading south to Patagonia in November. Then, in late December 2022, we’ll leave Chile and head north through Peru and Ecuador to Colombia. Finally, in January and February 2023, we’ll be in Central America and Mexico and will return to the United States to fly to eastern Canada in early April,” Porter said.
Ian Porter said that what mattered to him wasn't where he went, but who he shared this amazing experience with. "It was a truly wonderful experience. I not only flew around the world but also met new people and saw so many new things with my family. Our dream came true. I couldn't ask for more," he said.
The Porter family had always planned to take long trips together. And when they discovered they had enough time to make it happen, they immediately set off. "My eldest daughter could take a gap year from college, my second daughter just finished high school, and my youngest son could study online. And we had 14 months to travel together," Ian shared.
The trip lasted 14 months.
For the Porters, it was important that this "adventure" of theirs not only created a lasting family memory. Besides their round-the-world trip, the Porters also established a charity fund to raise money for SOS Children's Villages. They aim to raise $1 million for the organization.
