IT was third time lucky for an Army helicopter pilot as he finally set off yesterday on an attempt to become the first person to fly around the world in an open-cockpit gyroplane.

Warrant Officer Barry Jones, 37, aims to set a world record when he flies more than 25,000 miles across 25 countries in three-and-a-half months.

The aircraft is similar to the one made famous in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice, in which Sean Connery flew an autogyro called Little Nellie.

If WO Jones succeeds, he will also have set the record for flying the lightest aircraft to circumnavigate the globe.

Clear skies enabled WO Jones to set off from the Museum of Army Flying, in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, this morning after a previous attempt was called off last week because of bad weather.

He had planned to do the record-breaking flight last year but was hampered by technical problems.

WO Jones, who usually flies Lynx helicopters with 9 Regiment Army Air Corps, based at Dishforth, in North Yorkshire, has already broken the record for continuous flight in an open-cockpit gyroplane.

He flew 584 miles from Culdrose, in Cornwall, to Wick, Caithness, in seven hours and 23 minutes in February last year.

The previous record of 543 miles was held by retired Wing Commander Ken Wallis, who flew an autogyro in You Only Live Twice.

Yesterday's take-off was accompanied by a fleet of six Army helicopters, which flew with him to salute the start of the expedition.

The father-of-three plans to fly his aircraft, Global Eagle, around Europe, the Middle East and Asia, returning to Hampshire in time for the international air show in July.

Explaining his reason for embarking on the trip, which has taken two years to prepare, WO Jones said before yesterday's take-off: "It's the adventure. This is a great opportunity to see everything you saw as a child on television - to experience all the environments of the world.

"When I am an old man, I can sit back and bore people about the trip and I will know I have gone out and lived my life."

WO Jones admitted he was nervous at the prospect of the trip, during which he will be flying solo and only coming into contact with his suppport team at a few agreed locations.

He said: "I would be lying to say I wasn't nervous. I know I will be experiencing the full range of emotions, from euphoria to loneliness, and the highs to the lows. But my main concerns when I stop each day will be for fuel, food and accommodation, in that order.

''I know it will not go smoothly, nothing ever does, but that's part of the adventure."

The record attempt is costing £200,000, which will be covered by donations and sponsorship, and WO Jones also hopes to raise money for the Dyslexia Foundation, the NSPCC and the Red Cross September 11 Appeal.

* For progress reports during the the round-the-world attempt, visit www.globaleagle.co.uk