“Peace Pilot” Robert DeLaurentis is an aviation circumnavigator, author, speaker, pilot, real estate entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Navy Gulf War veteran. He is the founder of the “Citizen of the World for the World” global peace movement to connect humanity through the wonder of flight and the power of courageous action.

His books include the best-selling “Zen Pilot: Flight of the Passion and the Journey Within,” “Flying Thru Life: How to Grow Your Business and Relationships Through Applied Spirituality,” and his two newest books, “Peace Pilot: To the Ends of the Earth and Beyond”  and the children’s book “The Little Plane that Could.”

In December 2019, Robert DeLaurentis began his second circumnavigation from his hometown of San Diego, California to the South Pole in his aircraft “Citizen of the World,” a 1983 Turbine Commander 900. This expedition is inspired by a global peace mission with the message of “One Planet, One People, One Plane: Oneness for Humanity.” The trip is a real-time example of going after the seemingly impossible, not giving up while “Flying Thru Life,” and making the dream of connecting humanity through flight a reality.

Founder and president of the inspirational adventure publishing company Flying Thru Life and the charitable organization, DeLaurentis Foundation, Robert’s mission is to inspire people and organizations to live their impossibly big dreams through the wonder of flight and the power of courageous action.

A notable pilot listed in Wikipedia, Robert has flown over all seven continents, all five oceans, both polar ice caps, and visited a record 53 countries and territories in the past five years including Europe, Central and South America, Africa, Asia, Siberia, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Flying solo, Robert is the first person to round the South Pole using biofuels. He is a member of the Explorers Club on a Polar Expedition (which dates back to 1918) and has been awarded Flag #44.

Robert DeLaurentis | Inspirational Speaker

In 2015, Robert DeLaurentis successfully completed an equatorial circumnavigation with a single plane, single-engine, and single pilot across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans to 23 countries in his Piper Malibu Mirage, “Spirit of San Diego.” Robert DeLaurentis survived an engine-out at 14,000 feet over the Strait of Malacca and dead-sticked 19.6 nautical miles into Kuala Lumpur International with 600 pounds of fuel in the cabin and oil spraying on the 1500-degree exhaust. He lived to tell the story in his best-selling book, “Zen Pilot.”

In recognition of his courage, resourcefulness, and contribution to the San Diego community, the San Diego Mayor’s Office and City Council awarded Robert the “Spirit of San Diego Day” Proclamation.

An AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association) opinion-leader blogger with 400,000 followers and more than 150 media interviews, Robert DeLaurentis is a recognized social media influencer. In addition to his media and speaking appearances and books, he has also released an instructional film, “Overcoming the Fear of Flying, Unleashing Potential,” used at 26,000 high schools across the US, and created the “Citizen of the World Pole-to-Pole Flight Coloring and Activity Book” for children of all ages.

He is also an Experimental Aircraft Association member, Rotary member, Women in Aviation member, and NAA National Aviation Association Member.

Robert’s real estate business, Innorev Enterprises, Inc., includes over 300 real estate units, acquired over three decades. Starting with one condo in 1990, his road to success, much like flying, was not a straight path. The lessons he learned and the success he experienced along the way funded his dream of becoming a pilot and owning a plane, and is the basis of his book, “Flying Thru Life.”

Robert DeLaurentis has an undergraduate degree in accounting from University of Southern California and an advanced degree in graduate studies in spiritual psychology from the University of Santa Monica. He was in the Navy for 14 years, leaving in 2003 as a Lieutenant Commander. He lives in San Diego.

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