Pilot Lin Jui-cheh Completes Solo Circumnavigation: Taiwan Is Small, But Dreams Can Be Big

(Central News Agency reporter Yu Hsiao-han, Taipei, 14th) Taiwanese pilot Lin Jui-cheh has launched a solo circumnavigation flight challenge, departing from Los Angeles, USA, and landing at Songshan Airport yesterday. Lin shared first-person view footage of taxiing after landing and a video flying over Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf on social media, exclaiming, "Taiwan is truly beautiful."

Lin initiated his solo circumnavigation flight from Los Angeles, passing through Alaska and Hokkaido, and landed at Songshan Airport last night. The aircraft bears the Taiwan flag and the word "TAIWAN."

Lin has been sharing flight progress and related videos on social media. Yesterday, he posted a video of his approach before landing at Songshan Airport, stating, "Taiwan is truly beautiful."

On social media, Lin said he feels uncomfortable being called a "pride of Taiwan," emphasizing that he is simply an aviation enthusiast. This single-engine circumnavigation flight is not just about proving his own capabilities, but also about showing Taiwan to the world and demonstrating that a Taiwanese pilot is pushing the limits of physical endurance, technical skill, mental strength, and the unknown.

Lin said the greatest reward from this journey is not the distance flown, but the overwhelming support for dreams he has felt. "Taiwan is small, but dreams can be big," he emphasized.

After arriving at Songshan Airport last night, Lin told reporters that flying across the Pacific, he was particularly worried about potential engine failure or emergencies requiring forced landings. Therefore, he carried ample fuel, modifying his own fuel tank and using auxiliary fuel bags.

"Seeing my homeland from above was incredibly moving," Lin said. "Finally having the chance to fly over Taiwan in my own small aircraft felt surreal—goosebumps covered my arms in that moment."

According to Lin's official solo circumnavigation website, he graduated from National Taiwan University and holds an FAA pilot license and instrument flight rating. His flight experience includes the EA500 jet, Sling 2, PA-28, C172, DA-40, DA-42, PL-1 (Chieh Shou trainer), and CJ-6 (Chinese primary trainer). This circumnavigation flight is expected to take 180 hours, cover 15 waypoints, and cross over 10 countries.

Regarding recent reports that Lin was denied landing at Hengchun Wuliting Airport, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) stated that Lin, through a national agent, first submitted a flight plan on the 11th of this month. The flight was scheduled to depart from Japan's New Chitose Airport to Songshan Airport on the 13th and from Songshan to Davao Airport in the Philippines on the 15th. The CAA approved the application on the 12th.

The CAA noted that since Lin had previously expressed interest on social media about landing at or flying over Hengchun Airport, they proactively inquired whether such a request was included in this application. However, no such request was made, so the CAA approved the flight based on the original plan. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150614