AN intrepid RAF helicopter pilot is preparing for his most daring mission to date - to fly single-handedly around the world in a microlight helicopter.

Warrant Officer Barry Jones, who is based at RAF Dishforth, North Yorkshire, is planning the feat,which will take him from London and back via 25 countries in 80 days, in the Autogyro.

It is the first time anyone has attempted to circumnavigate the globe in the little flying machine, which was brought to prominence in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice.

The idea for the 24,300-mile trip arose when his progression through the ranks of the RAF was halted due to dyslexia, meaning he could not take up all challenges he expected to face in his working life as a pilot and electronic warfare instructor.

As a result, he decided to set himself a different kind of challenge, and hopes to donate any money raised to a dyslexia charity and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

The date for the attempt is set for June, 100 years after the Wright Brothers' first powered flight.

Before that, the 35-year-old father-of-three plans to put the microlight through its paces by flying from RAF Culdrose, in Cornwall, to Wick, in Scotland - a distance of 850 miles and a journey that will secure his place in the world record books for the longest distance flown.

On his round-the-world trip, WO Jones will occasionally carry passengers in exchange for fuel, but the majority of the journey will be solo.

During the run-up to the trip, he will be working with schools on the motivation of children with learning difficulties.

His message is that no matter what you set your mind to in life, it can be achieved.

"My message to children, particularly those with learning difficulties like dyslexia, is that you can do whatever you want to do with your life if you want it badly enough," he said.