Landing in Hanover, September 14, 2007

14.09.07 Hannover Airport: In wonderful late summer weather, dozens of people had gathered on the visitors' terrace at Hannover Airport to see the rose-painted plane land on September 14. Shortly after one o'clock, the plane was spotted and everybody waved enthusiastically with little scarves. But instead of landing, the pilots circled the skies once more. When the plane then touched down on the runway to much cheering, Uwe Thomas Carstensen and Hans Christian Albertsen really had brought their trip round the world to a close. To enter the history books as the 138th crew of a round the world flight in a single-engine plane, the airport they took off from and landed on had to be identical. All conditions had now been fulfilled and the daredevil pilots could be congratulated.

While Carstensen and Albertsen were still carrying out all the necessary jobs in the plane, a red carpet was rolled out. A lot of photographers and camera teams from several TV stations were waiting nearby. And then at last the pilots got out of their Cessna, with their wives and daughters flying into their arms. Minister Lutz Stratmann, Mayor Bernd Strauch and Airport CEO Dr. Raoul Hille then welcomed them officially.

After several photos had been taken and films shot, the throng headed towards the airport building. During the subsequent press conference in the airport plaza, the CEO, Minister and Mayor also each gave brief welcoming speeches. Afterwards everybody was keen to hear what the pilots had to say. Carstensen thanked his 'ground crew' Jott & Pee for the work they had done and stressed that the round the world flight would not have been possible in this form without their support. When he explained how important the encouragement of his wife Maria had been during the trip, she had trouble keeping back her tears – and the courageous round the world pilot also had a lump in his throat. Both of them hugged one another to great applause. A moment that moved everyone looking on.

While the guests enjoyed excellent finger food provided by Mövenpick Airport and were given refreshments by the very attentive restaurant team, the pilots still had plenty to do. Particularly Carstensen gave a lot of interviews to the TV and radio crews as well as journalists.

A lot of friends and acquaintances had also come to the airport to meet the pilots. But flight passengers also paused to hear the reports and found out all about the globeflight-rallye on the boards that had been specially put up.

Many people had discovered through the Internet or the media that Carstensen and Albertsen were coming back that day. For example Jürgen Mantei from Delmenhorst, who used to be a private pilot himself. He had come especially to be there when the pilots landed at Hannover Airport. The reports on the website reminded him very much of his own flights to different countries.