Around-the-World Flight Pilots Visit Decorah

 

The Decorah Rotary Club was honored to welcome Rotarian pilots Peter Teahen and John Ockenfels at the special Decorah Municipal Airport meeting location on Tuesday, November 1. Peter and John flew their newly acquired Cessna 210 Centurion from Cedar Rapids, available for public viewing for the very first time. In May 2023, these courageous and philanthropic pilots will climb into their airplane and head east on an amazing 8-10 week, 20,000 mile around-the-world flight to raise awareness for Rotary International's polio eradication campaign. Less than 700 pilots in history have successfully circumnavigated the globe in a single engine aircraft.

 

The two pilots have a goal to raise $1 million with 100% of the proceeds going directly to Rotary International’s “Polio Plus” program. All flight expenses are being paid by Peter and John. When the two-man crew departs Cedar Rapids, it will become the “Flight to End Polio.” At each stop around the globe, the pilots will raise awareness by meeting with other Rotary members, humanitarian workers, and government officials to discuss the progress of polio eradication and the ongoing need for assistance for families still affected by the devastating disease.

 

Our club extends its sincere thanks to Peter and John for flying up to Decorah to talk about their upcoming adventure and show off their airplane. We also thank the Decorah Municipal Airport and Manager Mike Connell for hosting our lunch and meeting in the airport hanger.

 

More information including details of the flight, sponsorship opportunities, and ways to donate directly to Rotary International's "Polio Plus" campaign, is available on the associated "Flight to End Polio" website at https://www.flighttoendpolio.com/.

 

Additional photos from the meeting are in the companion photo album: Flight to End Polio Visits Decorah Rotary.

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