A DARING paraplegic pilot who set a new record by flying more than 11,600 miles from York to Sydney in a microlight has sent out an appeal for support as he prepares for his ultimate challenge.

Dave Sykes, a member of York Flying Club, plans to fulfil his dream in 2015 by flying around the world – a distance of at least 26,000 miles – and hopes businesses and schools will come forward to sponsor him so the incredible journey can go ahead.

The 46-year-old, who lost the use of his legs after a motorbike accident in 1993, raised funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance on his trip to Oz in 2011.

It saw him battle dust storms, lightning, sweltering heat and torrential rain as he crossed deserts, jungles and oceans, as well as a string of setbacks, including losing all visibility between Saudi Arabia and Qatar and crashing in Pakistan.

His “round the world in 80 flying days” airborne expedition could see an array of good causes benefit from his efforts.

The starting and finish point would be Rufforth Airfield, where the flying club is based.

Dave said: “I proved what I can do by flying to Australia, and this is the next step – I’ve no doubt I can go round the world and I’ve been looking forward to doing it since I started flying in 2000.

“It could take up to six months and people have told me they think it’s a big step. But I felt such a sense of achievement when I did the flight to Australia, and when I flew over Sydney Harbour Bridge I just wished everybody who supported me could have been in the back seat to experience it as well.”

A new microlight for the transglobal flight, fitted with a lightweight aluminium wheelchair, could cost £50,000 and the total cost of the trip could be £200,000, due to the paperwork, flight permissions and insurance cover involved – £10 million is required to fly over Greenland alone – as well as costs such as paying for a navigator to fly alongside Dave over Russian airspace.

“It would be done in about 200 legs, so it may be that businesses and schools could sponsor £1,000 a leg, and the fundraising can support their charities and activities and their logos could go on the microlight,” said Dave, whose plans have attracted interest from a TV company.

• More information is at dave-sykes.com