On 10 June 1928, he took off from Lympne Airport in Fokker F.VIIa (G-EBTS, named 'Princess Xenia') on a flight to Karachi (then in India).
He was accompanied by Flying Officer Eric Herbert Alliott, and Mary Russell, Duchess of Bedford.
At this time, the duchess employed Barnard as personal pilot and flying instructor.
The flight was interrupted for about eight weeks at Bushire, Persia, during which the duchess returned to England by sea.
A replacement Bristol Jupiter engine was fitted, and the aircraft completed the flight to Karachi.
On 2 September 1928, Barnard and Alliott took off from Karachi, towards staging posts at Bushire, Aleppo and Sofia.
On 6 September, they reached Croydon for a night landing, after a record breaking flight of 5,000 miles in 4.5 days.

On 2 August 1929, he took off from Lympne Airport Fokker F.VIIa (G-EBTS now renamed 'The Spider') on a flight to Karachi.
Co-pilot and mechanic was Robert (Bob) Little, with the Duchess of Bedford also as extra pilot.
They returned to Croydon Airport after a record-breaking return flight of 10,000 miles in eight days.
Barnard was later awarded a Royal Aero Club Gold Medal.
On 10 June 1928, he took off from Lympne Airport in Fokker F.VIIa (G-EBTS, named 'Princess Xenia') on a flight to Karachi (then in India). He was accompanied by Flying Officer Eric Herbert Alliott, and Mary Russell, Duchess of Bedford. At this time, the duchess employed Barnard as personal pilot and flying instructor. The flight was interrupted for about eight weeks at Bushire, Persia, during which the duchess returned to England by sea. A replacement Bristol Jupiter engine was fitted, and the aircraft completed the flight to Karachi. On 2 September 1928, Barnard and Alliott took off from Karachi, towards staging posts at Bushire, Aleppo and Sofia. On 6 September, they reached Croydon for a night landing, after a record breaking flight of 5,000 miles in 4.5 days.
On 2 August 1929, he took off from Lympne Airport Fokker F.VIIa (G-EBTS now renamed 'The Spider') on a flight to Karachi. Co-pilot and mechanic was Robert (Bob) Little, with the Duchess of Bedford also as extra pilot. They returned to Croydon Airport after a record-breaking return flight of 10,000 miles in eight days. Barnard was later awarded a Royal Aero Club Gold Medal.
C. D. Barnard