Missing Russian Pilot on Round the World Trip Found Alive and Well

Sergey Ananov had been attempting to make a record-breaking solo flight around the Arctic Circle in a Robinson R-22 helicopter weighing less than one ton.

Concerns for the safety of Russian pilot Sergey Ananov, who lost contact during a round the world helicopter journey have been allayed, after the pilot was found alive and well by a rescue team.

Ananov went missing while flying from Iqaluit, Canada, to Greenland in his Robinson R-22 helicopter, attempting to become the first person to fly solo around the world in an aircraft weighing less than one ton.

The Canadian coast guard began the search on Saturday after the tracking devices on Ananov's helicopter stopped sending signals at 11.27 over Davis Strait, part of the Labrador Sea between Canada and Greenland.

In the early hours of Sunday morning it was reported that Ananov had been found by the rescuers taking refuge on a sheet of ice in the Davis Strait.   

A spokeswoman for the Canadian coast guard said that Ananov "is doing well and no medical attention is required."

"A red flare was spotted, and upon investigation it was determined to be the search subject alive and well on the floe."

Sergey is alive!!!… he is on the board of the Canadian Coast Guard vessel…thanks everyone for your prayers and…

Posted by Helicopter Solo Around the World on Sunday, 26 July 2015

Ananov's attempt at a round the world trip is not his first try at breaking records in a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter. The aviator holds three world rotocraft records, including the rotocraft record for a flight of 1232 km without landing, which he completed in February 2013 from Moscow to Ufa.