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Steve Noujaim flies airliners for a living - but next year he'll attempt to fly to South Africa and back in less than 79 hours.

It's going to be tough though. The original record was set by Alex Henshaw in 1939 and he was so exhausted by it that he collapsed from dehydration at the end.

Back in 1939, Alex Henshaw was seen as a hero.

Nearly thirteen thousand miles in less than four days and suffering with malaria on the way back - a huge feat of endurance and determination.

Steve Noujaim

Record

Now, seventy years on, Steve Noujaim is having a crack at the record.

The former RAF pilot became fascinated by Henshaw's flight and knows it's too good an opportunity to miss.

Even by today's standards this is going to difficult. Taking off from the UK, Steve is planning to make just two stops in each direction.

And he has to do it in less than 4 days, 10 hours and 16 minutes. Steve's using a kitplane he built with his wife.

There have been a few modifications to it but the rules say it can still only be less than 200 horse power.

Strain

They've spent thousands of hours building it together and Anna is firmly behind his challenge.

Steve's often asked why this record hasn't been beaten before. Mental and physical strain must play a part but also modern day aviation bureaucracy is making it complicated.

Red tape aside Steve's hoping to take off, destination Cape Town, as early as next spring.