In order to take advantage of ESTA (basically a prefilled I-94 form) you need to travel on a carrier that is on CBP’s VWP approved list (https://www.cbp.gov/document/report/signatory-visa-waiver-program-vwp-carriers).
Being on the list involves among other obligations posting a financial bond to the CBP.
Someone pointed this out to me:
I think the PA28 went down the swamps of UK GA maintenance, I don’t know the exact details but the mechanical & the avionics expertise was not around and aircraft probably end up in a bad state? the PA28 did not fly for ages, one need lot of guts to fly her over Atlantic with engines & electrics that have not flown for a year…
He’s apparently writing a book about the whole story, including the reason for changing plane and sponsors. I guess we will then know at least his version of the story.
Just read in the US AOPA magazine that he has an IR. So he’s no fool to have done that at age 18… It also makes the whole flight considerably easier.
Also mentioned were stats like 64 stops, 235hrs TT flown, 800nm each day on average.
It didn’t mention the logistics support but the endurance itself is remarkable.