Two Irish pilots attempting to make aviation history by flying around the world in a single- engined aircraft in less than 80 days are now more than half way into their record-breaking trip.
Alan McMahon (29) from Dublin and Paul Ryan (33) from Limerick have touched down safely in northern Japan ahead of the next leg of their 25,000- mile journey.
The aviators were delayed for two days by Cyclone Soudelor in Indonesia and were only given the all-clear after the cyclone was downgraded to a tropical storm.
McMahon and Ryan took to the skies from Shannon Airport on May 1st in a single-engined Cherokee after more than a year planning for the historic trip.
Some 2,000 gallons of fuel will be used in the journey and flight clearances were arranged at 39 airports in 19 different countries.
The around-the-world adventure - which will cost €35,000 - will also be used to raise money for the Marie Keating Foundation - as the families of both pilots have been affected by cancer.
At present, the duo are enjoying a well-deserved break in Akita, Japan, before departing for Alaska on the longest leg of their trip.
This will see them embark on a gruelling 14-hour flight over water from Japan to Adak in Alaska.
From there, they set off on the final stretch down the west coast of the US to Seattle, proceeding through Canada and then across to Greenland and Iceland.
The aviators hope to arrive back in Ireland ahead of their 80-day target to circumnavigate the globe some time in the middle of July.
• Donations can be made to the Marie Keating Foundation at www. worldflight 2003.ie. All contributions will go directly to the charity.