The Vintage Air Rally is the largest biplane flight ever attempted in terms of numbers and distance. <br /><br />From November 11, fifteen classic aircraft will fly 8,000 miles from Crete to Cape Town, South Africa.
Top of the world —
The Vintage Air Rally is the largest biplane flight ever attempted in terms of numbers and distance.

From November 11, fifteen classic aircraft will fly 8,000 miles from Crete to Cape Town, South Africa.
vintage air rally
Each aircraft is a pre-1939, single-engine biplane, which bring unique challenges such as spinning the propeller to start the engine.
Old school —
Each aircraft is a pre-1939, single-engine biplane, which bring unique challenges such as spinning the propeller to start the engine.
vINTAGE aIR rALLY
The route recalls pioneering flights from the early days of aviation, such as Irish aviator Lady Sophie Marie Health, who made the first solo flight from Egypt to South Africa in 1928.
Flying with giants —
The route recalls pioneering flights from the early days of aviation, such as Irish aviator Lady Sophie Marie Health, who made the first solo flight from Egypt to South Africa in 1928.
vINTAGE aIR rALLY
The fifteen teams are drawn from aviation enthusiasts around the world, including from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Egypt, South Africa, Canada, France and the US.
World Cup —
The fifteen teams are drawn from aviation enthusiasts around the world, including from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Egypt, South Africa, Canada, France and the US.
Vintage air rally
The planes include a range of classic designs including the 'tiger moth' pictured, and the 'gypsy moth' used in the Robert Redford movie 'Out of Africa.'
Classic models —
The planes include a range of classic designs including the 'tiger moth' pictured, and the 'gypsy moth' used in the Robert Redford movie 'Out of Africa.'
Leon Neal/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Tiger Moth DH82A, flown over the English coast by pilot Ian Perry, is seen over the shoulder of pilot Pedro Langdon during a promotional event ahead of the rally.
On the tail —
Tiger Moth DH82A, flown over the English coast by pilot Ian Perry, is seen over the shoulder of pilot Pedro Langdon during a promotional event ahead of the rally.
Leon Neal/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Tiger Moth and Travel Air 4000 biplane practice off the coast of the UK. Several of the participating pilots are making a biplane voyage for the first time.
Dry run —
Tiger Moth and Travel Air 4000 biplane practice off the coast of the UK. Several of the participating pilots are making a biplane voyage for the first time.
BEN STANSALL/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The 8,000-mile journey will test the pilot's stamina, although there are luxurious stops built into the route.<br />
Endurance —
The 8,000-mile journey will test the pilot's stamina, although there are luxurious stops built into the route.
vINTAGE aIR rALLY
Organizer Sam Rutherford acknowledges there is a risk of engine failure with such old planes, but adds that they are slow enough for any crash to have "high survivability."
Slow danger —
Organizer Sam Rutherford acknowledges there is a risk of engine failure with such old planes, but adds that they are slow enough for any crash to have "high survivability."
Leon Neal/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
The race passes through 10 African countries, and local tourism ministries are keen to maximize the exposure of their greatest attractions. Egypt will allow planes to land at the pyramids for the first time in 80 years.
Reward for hosts —
The race passes through 10 African countries, and local tourism ministries are keen to maximize the exposure of their greatest attractions. Egypt will allow planes to land at the pyramids for the first time in 80 years.
Jake Haggmark
Participants will also pass through Victoria falls in Zimbabwe, Khartoum in Sudan, and the national parks of Kenya.
Aerial tourism —
Participants will also pass through Victoria falls in Zimbabwe, Khartoum in Sudan, and the national parks of Kenya.
MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/AFP/Getty Images