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World Flight 2000 is a project of the Global Advancement Foundation that was created entirely by students, run by students and dedicated to promoting education in our community and around the world.
On September 1st, 2000, pilots Chris Wall and Dan Dominguez climbed aboard their AeroCommander 560E, a twin engine aircraft, and began their flight around the world. Their aircraft is connected to the Internet via satellite. The purpose of the flight is to inspire students of all ages from all parts of the earth by showing them that the hopeful dream of a few can affect the lives of so many. The two pilots will follow a route tracing the ancient history of Europe, the barren deserts of the Middle East, the snowy peaks surrounding Nepal, the hidden jungles of Indonesia, and the vast waters of the Pacific. Students from every part of the world can follow the adventurous flight in their classrooms or their own homes through our web site. Educational lesson plans will be available on the web site that will allow teachers to guide their students into the journey across the world and into different cultures that span over five countries during the three month flight. With each stop, children can discover everything from the ancient pyramids of Cairo, the famous Eiffel tower of Paris, to the white beaches and straw huts of Western Samoa.
The Global Advancement Foundation was set up to give students the ability to make their dreams a reality. GAF is a completely non-profit organization designed to support projects that benefit education, the environment, and communities around the world. It was devised four years ago by high school students so that all students would have the means to give back to their communities and their world in the shape of their own aspirations.
President Eisenhower's 680 Commander was essentially the first "Air Force One". The President used his AeroCommander for transport to and from his farm. President Eisenhower flew in an Aero Commander, the first twin engine plane that was classified to be "safe enough for the President" by the Secret Service and the Air Force. If the Aero Commander was deemed safe enough for the President, then it will keep our pilots safe as they travel around the world bringing a greater cultural understanding to millions of people.
Dreamcatcher is an Aero Commander 560E serial number 559. She will cruise at 180mph while carrying an average payload of 3,000lbs of fuel and supplies. The plane uses two Lycoming GO-480-G1-B6 Engines producing 295hp each. Both engines have independent vacuum, electric, oil, and hydraulic systems for safety. Detailed inspection of every nut and bolt was an extremely tedious job and took the crew and volunteers over 20 months working 14 hour days. The result was a reliable aircraft with an unmatched maintenance record.
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