FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The award-winning documentary, “FLYING SOLO: Around the World with Julie Wang,” is scheduled to be featured during the 33rd annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) taking place in Fort Lauderdale November 2 – 18, 2018, and the Chinese American Film Festival (CAFF) taking place October 27 – November 30, 2018, in Los Angeles.
In July, 25 films were screened over two days during the 4th Annual Filmed in Broward Mini-Fest where the audience picked their favorites which will be played during the FLIFF 2018. “FLYING SOLO” garnered a winning slot and will be played during the 2018 FLIFF on Sunday, November 11, 2018, at 11:30 am at Cinema Paradiso Hollywood, in Hollywood, Florida.
The documentary, produced and directed by Ed Moy, is the inspiring story of pilot and flight instructor Julie Wang and her around-the-world solo flight. Wang is the first Asian woman and first Chinese person to pilot an aircraft around-the-world solo. She is only the ninth woman to fly solo around the world, along with three Americans, four British and an Australian preceding her. Wang, a married mother of one child, is an Airline Transport Pilot, certified flight instructor, an FAA-designated chief flight instructor for the Part 141 courses offered by Zulutime Pilot at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, and a pilot for Silver Airways based in Fort Lauderdale.
Wang’s circumnavigation journey departed Addison, Texas on August 17, 2016, and returned to Addison on September 19, 2016, and included 155 hours of flying over 18 flight days. Her route covered over 38,500 kilometers in a single piston-engine propeller aircraft, mostly over open ocean, overflying or landing in 24 countries. Her longest leg was from Merced, California to Honolulu, Hawaii, covering 2,160 nautical miles nonstop in 13.8 hours.
Since 2016, Wang has served as a pilot for Silver Airways where she continues her love and passion for over-water flying on the airline’s routes to Key West, and between Florida and the Bahamas.
Today, Julie is inspiring women with her accomplishments and motivating them to pursue their passions. “I want to share my love for aviation, encourage girls and women to pursue their passions, and break that border of limiting yourself to stereotypical gender roles,” says Wang. “If you have a dream, go forward in pursuing that dream no matter what. You can do it.”
“It is an honor for us to have a pilot of Julie’s caliber flying for Silver Airways,” said Silver Airways Chief Pilot Brandon Press. “Julie’s passion for flying and her achievements are a tremendous asset to our flight operations team and we look forward to her being upgraded to our Captain ranks very soon as she continues to be an excellent flight instructor and leader for the Silver Airways team and our customers.”
Following the successful completion of her journey, Wang received praise from many throughout the international aviation community for her accomplishment:
“I am totally impressed with Julie's solo flight around the world,” said Mr. Wei Chen, a member of the Board of Directors of AOPA China (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of China). “Over 60 percent of her flight was over the oceans and therefore the challenge and risk were much greater compared to more conventional coastline-based routes. Above all, flying the entire trip solo in a single-engine airplane is the biggest challenge even with all the technology aviation has to offer today. Her flight is historic and inspirational to everyone who loves flying. She is a true aviator!”
Angela Guo, Deputy Chairman of AOPA China, praised Wang’s achievement, “As the first Chinese woman to fly around the world, Wang Zheng’s accomplishment is amazing. She is setting aviation world-records not only with demonstrated piloting skill but with strength of character, physical stamina and courage. She flew these 40,000 kilometers around the world completely alone, completely solo, in the real sense of the words 'solo flight,' accompanied by no one. No other Chinese person has ever attempted such a flight. She is the epitome of what we strive for in human achievement, and fully represents the best of the Chinese spirit. She has my deepest admiration and respect.”
Claude Meunier, who heads Australia-based earthrounders.com, a register of pilots who have flown around the world in light aircraft, congratulated Wang on her accomplishment, “Julie, welcome to the world of the Earthrounders, a very unique breed of pilots. We consider you the first Chinese pilot to have flown solo around the world and the first Chinese woman around the world. And once again, sincere congratulations for your unique achievement.”
Martin Robinson, CEO of AOPA UK and IAOPA’s (International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Association) Senior Vice-President, also praised Wang's accomplishment, “As an embodiment of Chinese spirit and an example of how one’s potential can be achieved through passion, hard work and great determination. Julie’s example lights the way for Chinese young people, showing them that limits are our own creations. Julie is already a hero and role-model to many Chinese young people and deservedly so.”
To view “FLYING SOLO,” visit https://filmfreeway.com/FlyingSolo.
For additional information on flying with Silver Airways and upcoming recruiting events, visit https://www.silverairways.com/pilot-recruitment.
About Silver Airways
Silver Airways operates the most routes within Florida and between Florida and the Bahamas from its hubs in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Tampa, and also operates Essential Air Service between Boston and Bar Harbor, Maine. In addition, Silver this year acquired Seaborne Airlines with flights in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean. Silver is a codeshare partner with United, JetBlue and Avianca, and has interline agreements with American, Delta, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Bahamasair, Hahn Air and Azul. Silver operates a fleet of highly-reliable Saab 340 aircraft, and starting in 2018, Silver is renewing and expanding its fleet with up to 50 new eco-friendly ATR-600s. Silver is honored to be the North American launch customer for the all new, redesigned ATR-600 offering best-in-class quiet cabins, premium leather seats with more legroom, and spacious overhead bins that accommodate full-size, carry-on roller bags. Silver is owned by affiliates of Philadelphia-based investment firm Versa Capital Management, LLC. To learn more about the refined passenger experience coming soon to Silver, visit www.silverairways.com/destinations/atr42.