Two Rotors: One Planet is Peter's enthralling account of his incredible Three Journeys Round expeditions full of passion, wonderful descriptions, bold aviation adventure and a little jeopardy!
In 2016, helicopter pilot Peter Wilson set out on the first of three exceptional aviation adventures and became the first person to fly solo around Africa, from London to Stellenbosch return, in a journey of 30,750 kilometres. In 2017 he accomplished a remarkable first circumnavigation through equatorial antipodes, completed in 121 days. On his third journey around Latin America in 2018/19, Peter visited a further 23 countries.
Growing up in Africa and witnessing some of the most beautiful landscapes and wildlife our planet has to offer, Peter has always had a passion for exploration and a duty of care for this wonderful world. His mission with his Three Journey Round project is to inspire, educate and promote the idea of a better planet through sustainable development.
In an R66 helicopter, Peter travelled a total of 122,500 kilometres in 285 expedition-days on three remarkable, long-range aviation journeys claiming 11 FAI world records. He was awarded the Britannia Trophy by the Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom for his achievements.
Viewing the world from above, and often in geographical locations that very few people will ever see, Peter has captured the incredible scenes in his book Two Rotors: One Planet as he travelled through 86 countries. He has witnessed the mesmeric contrasts and colour of our world including its cold glacial deserts; humid forests; hot desert sandscapes; stunning beaches and archipelagos; beautiful sunsets and sunrises; vibrant wetlands; astonishing mountains and steppes; generous peoples and cultures; and some amazing animals.
Peter's enthusiasm and understanding of the available science has given him the perfect opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind project leaving many encouraged at the prospect of a better world through sustainable development.
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"An astonishing and inspiring view of our rapidly changing world"
- Dr Nigel Winser FRGS, Life Scientist and former Executive Vice President of Earthwatch
"An absolutely stunning achievement"
- Jennifer Murray, Businesswoman, artist, mother of three and first woman to fly a helicopter solo around the world
"Peter visited some of the best locations in the biosphere"
- Gérard Moss, MBE & Margi Moss, Pilot, public speaker, environmentalist, explorer and first person to fly a motor glider solo around the world
"Peter's attention to detail in terms of expedition logistics is exemplary"
- Mark Evans, MBE, FRGS, Explorer, Executive Director of Outward Bound Oman
"An inspirational geographical essay of our world and our time"
- Steve Brooks, Entrepreneur, aviator, explorer and first person to fly a helicopter from the North pole to the South pole
"Peter shows us that much of the world is uninhabited, remote and beautiful but not unaffected"
- Fedor Konyukhov, Survivalist, adventurer, explorer, artist, author and priest
Wilson, Peter: - Peter Wilson's is a 'journey of learning by doing', with a passion for living within Earth's means and, in recent years, a determination to make an individual difference. He grew up in Africa discussing the origins of Earth with his father and his contemporaries (geologists, palaeontologists, physicists). He was fascinated by Africa, the human migration within it, and the human migration from it. Peter trained as an engineer and went on to understand business and how to solve problems for people including energy, housing and healthcare. He travelled widely and liked helping people to help themselves, starting his own businesses to pursue these goals. In the meantime, the pressing problems of the Anthropocene were being scientifically researched with better instruments and information. Peter continued to feed his passion for human geography and what is now called 'sustainable development, ' having great discussions with scientists, his father, his contemporaries and their generations of students. Finally, after the sale of his businesses in 2014, Peter could focus all his resources on raising awareness of the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. He conceived his Three Journeys Round project and, combining his passion for flying and adventure, he set about going to witness the issues for himself. In a Robinson R66 helicopter, Peter landed in 86 countries, travelling a total of 122,500 kilometres in 285 expedition-days on three remarkable, long-range aviation journeys. He continues to work out how best to explain that there is no economic argument for maintaining extreme poverty and that capitalism needs to take account of Nature because it is not free.
