I watched "On the Wings of Dreams" - RV-7

[Bob Axsom]

I ordered a copy of the DVD "On Wings of Dreams" that was mentioned in this forum previously but I can't find it any more - probably deleted as violating the rules of commercialism without paying for advertising is my guess. However, while it was there I needed something to watch while I force myself back into exercising so I ordered it. I was under the impression that it was a video of a couple flying an RV-7 on a trip around the world - well it's not that! There is an underlying story that never quite surfaces and I'm not sure if it is good or bad but the on the surface it covers an aerial odyssey by Detlef Heun and Liliana Tagliamonte. From all of the sign board like displays on the plane it was funded with the intent of associating companys with a successful circumnavigation of the earth in a RV-7. Liliana's diagnosis of cancer that required treatment stikes me as the major reason for failure to complete the task. They never really said in the video but the route clearly shows they intended to do it around the poles starting with the south pole. The farthest they got was the southern end of Argentina. So what is this all about? Someone trying to recoupe something for all the losses or just trying to make some money or perhaps trying to document a very special time in their lives at a very high level of production quality - maybe all of these.

So what did I get from it? I was captivated. Liliana's sweet smile is infectuous. Detlef seems hard as nails and a little suspect but I don't really know the guy - maybe that's the the German way. Regardless I feel like I saw something real in people's lives that dared to dream and failed. The DVD says "Part 1" and they comment at the end that they are going to try again following the northern route this time. I will buy that DVD if I'm still around and it becomes available to me. This DVD was unique and worth my money but others in different stages of life may not agree.

Bob Axsom

[ed. Bob you were right. However, they are becoming advertisers shortly. I'm waiting on artwork from them. dr]

[Bob Axsom]

I'm sure this is a hard field to succeed in and I think they have taken some lumps but they obvious live life for the living of it and will endure what it brings.

Bob Axsom

[Remag]

I thought it was very average. I am a male pilot and wanted to see a documentary film about the technical aspects of building and flying a home built aircraft around the world. Instead I got a 'chick flick' love story with very little to do with flying. I should have just rented 'Gone with the wind'. Good on both of them, their achievement is great, but the film making was not what I'm into.

[ronschreck]

My wife and I have had the good fortune to know Detlif and Lilli as they have stayed with us on two occasions during their travels. Their objective is not to race around the planet as others have done many times. Their objective is to experience people and places around the world and they are on no schedule to do that. The DVD is more of a love story than a documentary. They met when Detlif was in the planning stages, built their RV-7 together and were married during the first part of their journey.

The plane is well equipped for the task. Detlif moved the engine a few inches forward by extending the motor mount so that they could load more equipment in the baggage compartment without seriously impacting the center of gravity. They stuff an amazing amount of baggage in that airplane, including camping supplies, life raft and dry suits for water survival. They have no foam cushions in the seats; their extra clothing doubles as cushion material.

Detlif is an expert auto body repairman and once owned his own repair shop in Germany. His skills were demonstrated last year when they visited us in North Carolina following our ill-fated trip to Sun-n-Fun. The tornado that blew through Lakeland did some damage to my plane; just some dents caused by flying debris and paint damage due to blowing sand. Detlif spent a week making repairs to my plane. His own plane looks like a composite structure as all the rivets have been smoothed over. Very nice!

The couple have made the Dominican Republic their home while they put the finishing touches on their DVD. Hopefully, sales of the DVD will help finance the next year of travel. If you have the opportunity to meet them, don?t pass it up. They are wonderful folks that Kathy and I are grateful to call our friends.

You can follow their progress HERE.

[Bob Axsom]

I watched the video of course but your personal contact with them rounds out the picture.

Bob Axsom