Pilot Flying Into Aviation History Stops In Tulsa

By Rick Wells, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The voyage of the starship Enterprise carried its crew where no man had gone before.

A light sport aircraft named Hope One is carrying its pilot into aviation history.

When the Hope One completes its journey it will have stopped in all 50 states and flown more than 20,000 miles.

The News On 6 was waiting for Michael Combs, pilot of Hope One, when he landed at Jones Riverside Airport in Tulsa.

Combs is touching down in more than 135 cities across the country.  He said the long trek is ultimately about dreams coming true.

"A lot of people can relate to this, you have something you really want to do with your life, but you put it off," he said.

In 2003, Combs became gravely ill and he nearly died. Fully recovered, two years later he had a new focus.

"I promised myself I was going to live my life with no regrets," he said.

He set about learning to fly, and eventually planning this trip. Tulsa is his 96th stop. He's on his way to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for an air show.

Combs said his navigation equipment quit working.  But replacing the GPS he decided is a easy as a detour to Rogers, Arkansas, for a replacement. So he and his wife Michelle are off again.

To track Michael's flight, click here.