Startup founder to go on adventure with luxury helicopter

Australian tech entrepreneur John-Paul Thorbjornsen has placed an order for an ACH125 helicopter as part of an upcoming expedition that will see him traverse seven continents in 300 flight hours.

Thorbjornsen, who discovered his passion for flying at the age of 16, expressed his excitement about the upcoming journey. After previously embarking on a global adventure with an ACH130 Aston Martin Edition helicopter, he is eager to explore the world in a new way with the ACH125.

Impressed by the power and agility of the ACH125, Thorbjornsen believes it is the perfect aircraft for the expedition. The adventurous executive unveiled his flight plan at the Singapore Airshow, revealing that he will start his journey from his hometown in Darwin and travel to the North Pole, South Pole, and Dubai, covering a total of 30,000 nm and spanning 50 countries.

Airbus Corporate Helicopters Head Frederic Lemos expressed his delight at Thorbjornsen’s choice of the ACH125 for the mission, highlighting its performance, versatility, and reliability in high-and-hot environments. The ACH125 is a member of Airbus’ Ecureuil family, known for its manoeuvrability, visibility, and low maintenance, making it an ideal choice for long expeditions like Thorbjornsen’s.

With a reputation as a multi-mission workhorse, the ACH125 has set altitude records, including the world record for the highest take-off and landing of a helicopter on Mount Everest at 8,848 m. Thorbjornsen’s upcoming expedition is expected to showcase the capabilities of the ACH125 as it takes on this unique and challenging journey.