Sky Polaris: Taking to the skies to fight climate change

Around the world and over the poles - solo and in a home-made aircraft. That was the mission of aviator Michel Gordillo and his Sky Polaris project sponsored by ACCIONA, which also involved contributing to the progress in studying particles that make up the haze in the atmosphere. 

In an RV-8 prototype light aircraft, built in his garage, he decided to adventure into the skies on two expeditions. The first saw him take off on 19 February 2016, crossing the northern hemisphere to reach the North Pole just two months later, on 14 April. The second expedition made history its destiny, since, by reaching the South Pole, he became the first Spanish pilot to travel around the world over the two poles.

Two expeditions, a double objective  

Phase one led Michel in his small plane to cross the African continent and America, overcoming all kinds of adverse conditions to collect samples of black carbon (or soot). Finally, he reached the North Pole, ever warmer due to climate change.

No sooner on the ground again and Michel was preparing for his next mission, to demonstrate that it is possible to travel all the way around the world in a single-engine airplane while doing one’s all to help stop climate change.

He retook to the skies and reached the South Pole following many hours of uninterrupted flight over Africa and the Indian Ocean. Once over Antarctica, he became the first pilot to land on the five continents in a single-engine plane and his RV-8 the first Spanish aircraft to fly over the Antarctic continent.

Michel ended his feat by landing at Marambio Base, becoming the first Spanish pilot to have gone around the world via the two poles, in the process contributing, like ACCIONA, to the fight against climate change.

Phase one led Michel in his small plane to cross the African continent and America, overcoming all kinds of adverse conditions to collect samples of black carbon (or soot). Finally, he reached the North Pole, ever warmer due to climate change.

No sooner on the ground again and Michel was preparing for his next mission, to demonstrate that it is possible to travel all the way around the world in a single-engine airplane while doing one’s all to help stop climate change.

He retook to the skies and reached the South Pole following many hours of uninterrupted flight over Africa and the Indian Ocean. Once over Antarctica, he became the first pilot to land on the five continents in a single-engine plane and his RV-8 the first Spanish aircraft to fly over the Antarctic continent.

Michel ended his feat by landing at Marambio Base, becoming the first Spanish pilot to have gone around the world via the two poles, in the process contributing, like ACCIONA, to the fight against climate change.