Norman Surplus

Norman Surplus (7 February 1963 – 19 April 2022) nicknamed "Roxy". His trip began in 2010 and ended on 28 June 2019. In 2010, during the first leg of his trip, Surplus flew over Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America. Surplus took nine years to complete his journey around the world, and flew over 32 countries, Surplus was diagnosed with bowel cancer and his probability of surviving for another 18 months was estimated at 40%. During his treatment period, he became interested in autogyros after watching a TV show about the rebuilding of an autogyro found in a barn. During his 2010 trip, his overflights included France, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, and Japan. After landing in Japan, Surplus planned to fly through Russia on his way to the United States. Although he had obtained permission from Russia to fly over its territory, due to subsequent delays, the permit expired and he had to reapply. In the interim, the international political climate involving Russia had worsened, and that led to bureaucratic delays from the Russians, who now withheld flight permission from Surplus. This led to Surplus's autogyro remaining in Japan for the following three years. The trip was also delayed further due to strong winds and inclement weather. near Larne, his hometown, landing there on the same day. and both Ketchell and Surplus then flew their respective autogyros, G-KTCH and G-YROX, in loose formation together during their pioneering Trans - Russia, Bering Straits and Alaskan crossings.

Three months after Surplus had successfully completed his circumnavigation in Oregon, Ketchell subsequently completed his own circumnavigation on his return to the UK and established the first "Speed around the World, Eastbound" FAI Record, for the circumnavigation of the world in a category E-3A Autogyro (175 days) in September 2019. He was also subsequently awarded a Guinness World Record for the first circumnavigation of the world in an autogyro.

Death Surplus died at home, on 19 April 2022 of a heart attack, whilst battling with his third bout of cancer. He was aged 59.