When most people buy an aircraft, arranging delivery usually means putting it on a ship or into a container.

Slovenian pilot Marjan has chosen a different option. He's flying his newly purchased 2003 Lancair-ES all the way home.

The sleek four-seat aircraft was recently purchased in Motueka. Over the next three weeks, Marjan and fellow pilot and content creator Filip will set off on an extraordinary journey, crossing countries, oceans and continents before the aircraft begins its next chapter in Europe.  It's a journey of some 600 hours flight time covering 4,600 miles.

For Marjan, flying has been a lifelong passion. He first took to the skies in gliders at just 17 years old before earning his powered aircraft licence around eight years ago. Although he's completed long-distance flights in Europe, this will be his first ferry flight of this scale beyond the continent.

Despite the distance, the aircraft itself hasn't been extensively modified for the journey. Instead, careful planning is doing most of the heavy lifting.

The Lancair ES has an official range of around 1,200 miles and cruises at approximately 185 knots. To safely complete the longer sectors, the team is carrying additional fuel in onboard fuel bladders. They aren't trying to set records or race the clock. Their philosophy is simple: fly conservatively, look after the engine, manage fuel carefully and only fly when conditions are right.

"It's safety first," Marjan explained.

That mindset has shaped months of preparation before the propeller has even turned. Every international stop has required detailed research, from fuel availability and customs requirements through to handling arrangements and alternate airports should the weather change.

The journey itself is expected to take around three weeks, although that timetable remains flexible. Weather, aircraft performance and safe decision-making will ultimately determine the pace.

People often ask about the practical side of spending long hours in a small aircraft, and yes, that has been thought through as well. From careful meal planning to in-flight solutions that experienced ferry pilots know well, it's all part of preparing for a journey like this.

Excluding the purchase price of the aircraft itself, Marjan estimates the ferry flight will cost around NZ$80,000. Once the aircraft reaches Slovenia, it will be re-registered and become his private aircraft.

We'll be following Marjan and Filip’s progress with great interest and wish them clear skies and safe flying all the way to Slovenia.

Follow their journey at https://aviateergosum.eu/