1.
GV Tiger Moth plane arrives at Darwin airfield.
0.16

2.
SV Tiger Moth taxies down runway
0.21

3.
SV Crowd waiting on tarmac.
0.24

4.
SV Wife runs up and greets pilot David Cyster, they embrace and kiss.
0.37

5.
CU Champagne bottle is opened and Cyster drinks and toasts with his wife
0.48

6.
CU Cyster speaking to reporter
1.10


REPORTER: "Can't have been smooth?"



CYSTER: "Oh no, no, there were several problems with, there were several problems from time to time, but I can't isolate one that has been particularly bad".



REPORTER: "What was the best moment?"



CYSTER: "The best moment is touching down in Darwin without a shadow of doubt."



Before returning home to England, Flight Lieutenant Cyster planned to visit Bundaberg in Queensland, Australia, home town of Bert Hinkler who made the first solo flight 50 years ago.




Initials EP/2245


SPORT: AVIATION

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: British solo pilot David Cyster landed in Darwin, Australia, on Saturday (11 March), after a 32-day flight from England in an open-cockpit Tiger Moth. He covered a distance of 9,000 miles (15,000 Kilometres).

SYNOPSIS: His venture in the 37-year-old biplane was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first solo flight between Britain and Australia. He took almost nine hours to complete the final leg of his London-Darwin flight, after being forced to dodge thunderclouds over the Timor sea.

800 people cheered him when he touched down.

His wife, Cherry, burst into tears as the 33-year-old Royal Air Force Flight Lieutenant clambered out of the plane. He hugged her and said: "Sorry, I am a bit late."
The couple then celebrated Flight Lieutenant Cyster's safe arrival with a bottle of champagne.