1.
CU: Flight Lieutenant David Cyster out of aircraft and greeted by wife, Cherry.
0.18

2.
SV: Unpacking belongings from aircraft.
0.31

3.
LV: Concords passing the Tiger Moth.
0.46

4.
SV PAN FROM: Cyster and wife talking with airline officials PAN TO Tiger Moth.
0.54

5.
LV PAN: Cyster stands by Tiger Moth as Concorde takes off.
1.05

6.
SV & LV: Crowds watch as Mrs Cyster helps husband into flying gear. (4 SHOTS)
1.18

7.
SV & LV: Crowds watch as Mrs Cyster talks to husband in cockpit.
1.26

8.
LV: Mr. Cyster taxis away.
1.36



Initials JS/2345



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INTRODUCTION: British flyer David Cyster has arrived in Dubai in the Trucial States on the 14th day (21 February) of his England-to-Australia solo flight. Flight Lieutenant Cyster, a Royal Airforce pilot, is making the trip in a single-engined open cockpit Tiger Moth to mark the 50th anniversary of the first solo flight from London to Darwin in Australia.

SYNOPSIS: Before flying to Dubai, Flight Lieutenant Cyster made a short stop at Bahrain. After the Tiger Moth landed, he was greeted by his wife Cherry who had travelled from London by scheduled flight with a truckload of spare parts.

The stop in Bahrain was originally intended as a day-long rest, but as bad weather and electrical faults have already caused a week's delay, it was decided to curtail the visit.

The Tiger Moth, built in 1931, is an aircraft from another era. The 33-year-old RAF man is more used to piloting jets. The Tiger Moth was chosen as the nearest equivalent to the Avro Avian biplane which took pioneer Squadron Leader Bert Hinkler on the same journey from London to Darwin in 1928.

The Gypsy Moth can just about manage 100 miles per hour (161 km p.h.) - a far cry from the supersonic abilities of Concorde which the Cysters watched leave from London.

One concession to safety made for this trip is an extra fuel tank to help the aircraft cope with the last leg of the journey - the 548 miles (882 kilometres) over the shark infected Timor Sea. After saying goodbye to his wife who he will next see in Singapore, Flight Lieutenant Cyster flew on to Dubai. After that, his next stop will be Karachi and from there to India. He is due in Australia in a fortnight.